Life Safety in Action Teaches Fire Safety to the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
DOVER, Del.– The Delaware office of deaf and hard of hearing partnered with the state fire marshal to host the “Life safety in action” event.
The event provided a live demonstration of a new accessibility equipment program funded under House Bill 53 for people who are dead or hard of hearing.
House Bill 53 was signed on July 21, 2025 by Governor Matt Meyer and it established a fire and carbon monoxide alert device program that’s focused on providing accessible safety equipment to the deaf and hard of hearing community.
Representative for the 24th district of Delaware Ed Osienski says he hopes this program gives a sense of peace to Delaware families.
“I think it gives the familes comfort knowing that their loved ones, will be safe, and can hear these alarms that are meant to notify of danger,”Osienski said. “So when you lose your hearing and you don’t hear the devices that are in pretty much everybody’s homes, it’s concerning.”
Christina Feil Community Relations for Delaware’s office for deaf and hard of hearing says the traditional smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors leave deaf and hard of hearing people a huge safety risk.
“The risk for the community is that they are not aware of the alerts that are going off,” Feil said. “There’s no visual alerts. And in a bedroom there may be one there, but by the time we receive the alert it’s too late.”
Installation and outreach partner for the program Rebekah Lepore says that having safety deviced in the household that everyone can perceive the alerts is a game changer when it comes to emergencies.
“Nationwide about 47% of all people with hearing loss cannot hear the sound of a traditional high pitch, battery operated or even hardwired standard smoke alarm that is already in the home,” Lepore said. “So that’s an astounding number of people that are left unprotected without specialized equipment.”
But for Deaf Attendee Judy McGuigan she is greatful to finally have safety equipment that’s designed for her and her family.
“My entire family is deaf and we are so used to not having access,” McGuigan said.” “And now having this, it feels amazing that there is something out there for deaf people to provide that access.”
