MIAMI TOWNSHIP — The township's Fire and EMS Department in Clermont County wants residents, especially those 65 and older, to invite fire personnel to their homes for a free safety inspection.

        The Home Safety Check is designed to reduce hazards and prevent accidents.

        “We're trying to bring some awareness to the seniors,” said Jim Petry, a firefighter/paramedic who is organizing the program. “We want to see if they'll let us in and look around the house and maybe change some things. Our goal is to get in and do a home safety check.”

        A team of two firefighters in uniform would conduct the inspection, looking for such things as loose rugs, rickety staircases, extension cords that could cause someone to trip, overloaded outlets, storage areas around water heaters and fuse boxes, loose railings, no handrails and working smoke detectors.

        The Red Cross is providing smoke detectors for homes that need one or have an inadequate number, said Mr. Petry. Fire officials say about 60 percent of residential fire fatalities are in homes without working detectors.

        The point, say township officials, is that programs like this one make for a safer community.

        “For the township there's a sense of fulfillment that the firefighters feel, in really getting to know and reaching out and making a differ ence,” said Mary Makley Wolff, a township trustee. “These are preventive kinds of things, instead of always having to go out on an emergency.”

        Mr. Petry said this is the first time the fire department is targeting senior citi zens. The department has done the home safety check program in the past, with mixed response from some citizens.

        “Some people, especially seniors, are hesitant about having people come into their homes,” said Mr. Petry. “They never did too many.”

        He said firefighters have handed out fliers and are beginning to spread the word in retirement communities in the area. “We've just recently been pushing this,” said Mr. Petry.

        “I just think the personal contact strengthens the community,” said Ms. Wolff. “You get a real sense that people are here to make sure everybody is safe and secure. It's another highlight of a vibrant, healthy community.”

        To get more information call the fire department at 248-3700.

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