Emergency program lights way for rescuers

[seamusg]

St. Clair Shores

Emergency program lights way for rescuers

City officials have signed on to a new emergency aid program, the Blinker 100, to help first responders better locate residents' homes. Residents can purchase a $10 light adapter at City Hall that will turn any light bulb into a flashing light. The adapter screws into any socket and, in an emergency, the resident only has to switch the light on and off twice for it to begin flashing, Police Chief Charles Burnett said. He believes the system will help first responders locate a 911 caller faster.

[Codeman]

This sounds like a great idea. I hope it catches on.

[scanjunkie]

They had these out years ago in our area but I personally have only seen one in my many years in the fire/EMS service. They are definitely a great idea and should be a standard feature on all outdoor porch light fixtures.
It would actually be really cool if they could derive a way that when 911 was dialled on the phone that it activated the blinker on the porch light...now that would be cool!!

[MacombMonitor]

Can I also use it for the Pizza Delivery Man?

Seriously, sounds like an excellent idea! So many things like this are so simple, yet very effective!

[johnvassel]

Sounds like a great idea, but I picked up a few of these flashers 10 year ago on clearance when the idea failed to fly then.
Look at the campaign to train folks to dial 911, yet some still fail (The fire we had tonight was called in to the station (unattended) the Chiefs house, and then 911.
Reflective roadside address numbers, reflective green with white letters, are by far the best thing anyone can do to make sure EMS arrives at the right place.
Brown house numbers, on stained trim, are invisible at night.
I dont dislike this idea of the lights, but what happens when the bulb fails, or worse yet, the homeowner is confused letting the cat out, flicks it twice, then the neighbors are calling in a distress call.

[MacombMonitor]

When I lived in Warren the city used to have the address stenciled in black, on a white background on the curb, very large, very easy to see. I always thought that was a good idea.

[Alpha432]

Where can I pick up a couple of these flashers??

[seamusg]

Originally Posted by Alpha432

Where can I pick up a couple of these flashers??

The only info given is if you live in St. Clair Shores, other than that call the City of St. Clair Shores and ask.

[mlevin]

There was a place around here (Baltimore) that was selling light up house numbers. These things work similar to those glow in the dark stars little kids have on their bedroom ceiling. During the day they use the suns light to 'charge up', and at night they light up nice and bright. You can see them from all the way down the street. Much more efficient then having to remember to flick lights during the excitement of an emergency.

Of course manually flicking the porch light always works.