Seniors Should Take Advantage of New HITS Program

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Marsha Giesler, D.G.F.D.

Senior Citizens in Downers Grove can now take advantage of a new program called HITS. HITS stands for Home Inspection Team for Seniors. Through the coordination of the Downers Grove Township SALT organization (Seniors and Lawmen Together), local police and fire departments, along with Good Samaritan Hospital's Senior Advocate Program have developed this service to identify features in the home or daily routines that might make seniors susceptible for burglaries, fires, or injuries due to falls. The second purpose is to advise seniors of the steps that can be taken to eliminate or reduce these hazards. The areas of home security, fire prevention and injury from falls, as they relate specifically to older adults, have been carefully examined. Checklists have been developed for the home. The local program is based upon a nationally recognized study and program by the National Fire Protection Association entitled Remembering When.

This is how the home surveys work:

A senior can call the Downers Grove Township office at (630) 719-6682 to sign up for a date to have their home surveyed for safety. Once the appointment is scheduled, officers from the fire and police department will come to your home together at the scheduled date and time. The officers will walk from room to room with the homeowner to discuss various issues relating to the areas of safety mentioned above. As the team moves from room to room, the senior has a chance to ask questions and provide information for the officers that will help them make recommendations to the homeowner. No citations or violations are recorded. This is strictly a service to improve safety and educate senior homeowners.
Following is a brief list of some of the things seniors will be asked about as the visit proceeds (the actual checklist is much more extensive):

Fire Safety

• Do you have a 4-inch address that is visible and well lit for emergency personnel?
• Do you have working smoke detectors on each level of the home, especially the sleeping areas? The officer will test the detectors during the visit.
• Can you operate all windows from the inside in case they would have to be used as a secondary escape from a room?
• Are cooking areas free of grease? Are combustible items too close to the stovetop? Officers can make suggestions for a more suitable and safer arrangement.
• Are there too many extension cords in use? Are surge protectors and/or adaptors used correctly?
• Is there a smoker in the home? What are the smoking habits?

Security

• What types of locks are in use on windows and doors? The officer will look at all windows and doors and make suggestions for the safest type of locks for particular areas.
• Is the home well lit on the outside?
• Are valuables stored in places that are not obvious to someone outside the house? Again, the officer can make suggestions for a safer arrangement of valuables.
• Do you have any unsecured areas that would be inviting to outsiders?
• Do you have a list of valuable property (recorded, photos, VCR) engraved with drivers license number, NOT social security number?
• Is the garage closed and locked when no one is home; is the car locked even when in the garage or driveway?

Falls

• Are there non-slip rugs in the bath and kitchen areas?
• Are railings and stairs well lit and well built?
• Do bath and showers have non-slip surfaces?
• What are the homeowner’s habits when carrying large baskets and boxes around the home?
• Are doorways, pathways and stairways free of cords, boxes, newspapers, etc.?
• Are nightlights used? Can you reach a light switch or lamp from your bed?
• We encourage seniors to call and arrange for a home safety visit. Many residents feel they are living in a very safe environment. However, a trained professional can often provide insight and information about areas of safety that might not be obvious to most homeowners. The officers can offer advice based on their experience and expertise in their specific area of training.