Free smoke alarm inspections available in Gilford

GILFORD — The homes of more than 100 residents will be safer, thanks to a free service of Gilford Fire-Rescue to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Senior Safety Day takes place on Saturday, Oct. 25, and while it has been geared toward the older population, Chief Steve Carrier said the service is available for any resident.

“Nobody will be turned away,” Carrier said. “We call it Senior Safety Day because it was originally developed to focus on the elderly, but it is for anyone across the whole community. There are no restrictions.”

According to Carrier, residents can request Gilford firefighters for a home visit to make sure their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Firefighters will install new batteries if needed, and change out smoke detectors if they have aged out.

The program has been going for about 20 years, and Carrier is happy the public continues to take advantage of it in the name of safety.

“It started in the hospital years ago, and we just kept it going,” Carrier said. “What we do is create a list throughout the year, and compile the homes we visited in the past.”

Carrier said there are normally about 150 residences the department checks on, many in Wesley Woods, a retirement community behind the First United Methodist Church. The fire department checks each residence there, and Carrier said those were done on Oct. 4. This helped so personnel can get to everyone around town during the upcoming event.

“People can call the station and request to be on the list," Carrier said.

Wesley Woods has 39 independent living homes and approximately 50 residents. Director Carrie Chandler said it is something they look forward to every year, noting the firefighters do a great job, and everything always runs smoothly.

“They checked all our CO detectors and changed out some thermostat batteries,” Chandler said. “We appreciate it, and it is a service we don’t take for granted.”

Carrier said the fire department has already started receiving requests for assistance this year, as recently as Wednesday.

Carrier said Senior Safety Day is made possible with the help of Lowe’s, whose staff donated items to the department to help make the day a success.

“It curbed some of the cost for the community,” Carrier said. “It is free for anyone to take part in. No charge, you don’t hear that very often.”

Senior Safety Day takes place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 25. Information is available on the town website at gilfordnh.gov, as well as the Gilford Fire-Rescue Facebook page at facebook.com/100064728755148.

Anyone who would like to be included can call Gilford Fire-Rescue at 603-527-4758.