The Allen Fire Department began visiting four more senior living facilities in July as part of its free fall prevention program, aiming to reach about 500 additional older residents through Phase 3.

The expansion of the department's Steady Together Project builds on results from earlier this year that included 61 home safety visits and 280 free modifications at four skilled nursing facilities.

The program's goal: cut fall-related injuries in Allen by 20% over three years.

In its first month, the expanded phase produced 36 home safety visits and four fall prevention lessons at the new facilities, Community Impact reported.

What the program provides

Seniors receive monthly hands-on education covering fall prevention strategies, proper use of walkers and canes, simple home improvements, stretching and balance exercises, and medication safety sessions with Baylor pharmacists. Firefighters then conduct individual home safety assessments and install modifications at no cost.

All modifications are free.

Those include grab bars, nonslip bath mats, grabber tools, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, according to the city's news release.

During Phase 1, which ran January through April, the department also sent letters to seniors who had recently experienced a fall, connecting them with resources.

Falls by the numbers

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults 65 and older nationally, with 1 in 4 older adults reporting a fall each year, according to the CDC. The age-adjusted fall death rate among older adults rose 21% between 2018 and 2024.

How residents can help

The department is asking Allen residents to donate new, unused safety items: night lights, 24-to-36-inch grab bars, grabber tools, nonslip rubber-backed bath mats, surge-protected power strips, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and nonslip socks.

Drop-off location: Central Fire Station, 310 Century Parkway, during regular business hours. Residents can also purchase items through the Steady Together Project Amazon wishlist.

Partners supporting the effort include the Allen Firefighters Association, Citizens Fire Academy Alumni Association, Community Emergency Response Team, Lowe's, NETSCOUT and Costco.

The Steady Together Project is planned to expand through 2028, eventually reaching residential seniors throughout Allen and introducing preventative education for adults 55 and older through the Allen Senior Recreation Center.