Jim Hackimer of Cranberry Township puts out a fire at the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Department's fire safety for seniors program Thursday. In the inset, Jack Carney, assistant fire safety coordinator, talks about extinguishers. The department gave out 309 extinguishers during the program. Featured on the cover is Cranberry resident Diana Dausch.Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

More than 50 Cranberry Township senior citizens received free fire extinguishers — and training on how to properly use them — at instructional sessions last week through Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company.

The program halps residents ages 65 and older learn more about fire safety.

In previous years, the station has given away smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Because extinguishers are more complicated, the fire company conducted several training sessions.

“When we did the first two, you could hand it to the senior citizens, put it on your ceiling, and you're good,” said assistant fire safety education coordinator Jack Carney. “With a fire extinguisher, you don't know how to do it, and so they go home with it and think, 'Well, I have one,' and that provides a false sense of security.”

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Cranberry fire safety coordinator Jack Carney talks to seniors at Cranberry Township Fire Department’s fire safety for seniors program Thursday at the township municipal building. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 09/16/21

Cranberry fire safety coordinator Jack Carney helps Eileen Sample of Cranberry put out a fire at the Cranberry Township Fire Department’s fire safety for seniors program Thursday at the township municipal building. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 09/16/21