Home Safety Visit Program

The Hanover Fire Department offers a unique program for some of the most vulnerable residents in our community. The Home Safety Visit Program provides residents aged 65 and older a no-cost in-home evaluation and assessment for fire and life safety hazards by a specially trained Hanover Firefighter. The visit includes an assessment of current smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, electrical safety, escape planning, heating system and water temperature evaluation, emergency preparedness, and trip and fall hazards. Firefighters identify issues and make corrections when possible. Donations have enabled the Program to provide smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to residents, which are installed by firefighters if necessary. The Program is a collaborative effort between the Fire Department, Community Services Department, and Hanover Visiting Nurse.

In 2019, the Department was successful in being awarded nearly $90,000 from FEMA's Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program to make significant enhancements to the Home Safety Visit Program. The Grant provided funding for staffing, equipment, and supplies that enables us to complete 450 home safety visits in Hanover. Aside from providing weekly staffing for the Home Safety Visit Program, it provided funding to provide residents with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, electrical power strips, oven mitts, night lights, and much more. 

The Hanover Fire Department's Home Safety Visit Program is recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as an approved Community EMS Program. For more information about this program, please contact our Fire and Life Safety Education Coordinator.