Firefighters from Fire District 1 are using a grant to educate senior citizens on ways they can stay active and independent.

This past weekend, they spoke to 30 older residents of Carriage Club Mobile Home Park north of Lynnwood on ways to prevent falls.

“Every day our firefighters respond to emergency medical aid calls to assist older adults who have fallen,” explained Kim Schroeder, a fire and life safety educator for Fire District 1. “We know falls are a major threat to the health and independence of people age 65 and older, but it doesn’t have to be that way.”

Officials offer these tips to prevent falls — get plenty of exercise, have regular vision screenings, have a doctor or pharmacist review medications to check for drugs that can cause drowsiness and check your home for tripping hazards.

Fire District 1 also has teamed up with Senior Services of Snohomish County to have firefighters offer prevention education and referrals for follow-up services to fall patients on 9-1-1 calls.