Seniors are invited to participate in free safety academy sessions this month and in February that are hosted by Drexel Heights Fire District.
The sessions, βSenior Safety Academy,β for ages 55 and older will be held at the Drexel Heights training classroom at Station 401, 5030 S. Camino Verde. The station is on the northwest corner of West Ajo Highway and South Camino Verde.
The series is funded by a partnership with Pima Countyβs Community Development Block Grant Program, said Tracy Koslowski, a district spokeswoman.
Participants are encouraged to pre-register by filling out an application at www.drexelfire.org/senior-citizen-fire-academy.html or by picking up a form at the fire districtβs administration center at 5030 S. Camino Verde.
The January classes are Wednesdays β the 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st βfrom 9 to 11:30 a.m., and participants must attend all four dates in the session to graduate from the academy, said Koslowski.
The sessions will be repeated in February on Thursdays on the 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd, also from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Topics will include fire prevention techniques, kitchen safety and a demonstration on how to use a fire extinguisher. Those attending also will get a tour of a fire station and learn about equipment used by firefighters.
Instructors will use trivia, humor and nostalgia in teaching participants how to protect themselves from fire and falls. βThe focus is fun, but the messages are serious,β said Koslowski.
Pima Council on Aging representatives will present information about how to prevent falls, including demonstrations about how to strengthen a personβs balance and also Chinese tai chi movements that benefit a personβs health.
Pima County sheriffβs officials will talk about scams that target seniors and county Health Department representatives will cover health concerns affecting men and women as they get older.
Participants will receive safety resources for their home, at no cost to them.
For more information about the academy, call 883-4341.
