The Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority and Alpha Phi Alpha Homes Inc. of Akron will begin using the device, known as the HomeSaver 1.
It was invented by an Akron man in the city's industrial incubator and will be produced in Akron by Western Reserve Controls.
Deborah Eisinger, president of HomeSaver Enterprises, said so far the product has been sold through direct sales on the company's Web site or by telephone.
But production is expanding and officials from both AMHA and Alpha Phi Alpha Homes said Wednesday they are looking forward to installing the devices in some of their units.
``Our first target will be those units that have had residential fires,'' said Terry Meese, deputy director of AMHA. ``All we have to do is review our records. We have a targeted group.''
He said there are 35 to 40 fires in AMHA housing each year. Half of those are stove fires and half of those occur in units occupied by the elderly.
``It's a great opportunity to save lives, money and keep people in their homes so they can live independently,'' Meese said.
Allowing independent living for one senior citizen was the root of this invention.
Inventor Lee Eisinger was concerned with his mother's safety. She had developed Alzheimer's, and he wanted to protect her from any potential fires. He worried she would accidently leave a burner on.
``I searched stores and catalogs for some sort of safety backup,'' Lee Eisinger said. ``It was also important for her to maintain her quality of life.''
The device is not just for the elderly, but for those with mental health issues or mentally handicapped individuals.
The small, electrical device, which sells for $300, easily attaches to the stove and can be installed without having to purchase new appliances.
It uses a motion sensor attached to the stove.
If the cook does not return to the stove within 8 minutes of turning on a burner, the stove automatically disconnects.
``If you are not in the field of vision of the sensor after six minutes an audible alert goes off and gives warning sounds the last two minutes,'' said Deborah Eisinger. ``But the sounds are not too loud as to disturb neighbors.''
She said they came up with eight minutes by testing with hot water and oils -- it was the optimum time not to intrude on the cook but with safety in mind.
Tom Fuller of Alpha Phi Alpha Homes said his organization has purchased 10 safety devices and will leave it up to the building managers of the three housing units in Akron as to where they should go.
``The fires or smoke damage come mostly from the elderly units. They usually just forget. They put something on the stove and go to watch TV and fall asleep or go visit another neighbor or go check their mail. The next thing they know the smoke detector goes off.''
He said there are calls at least once a month in the Williams Tower and probably four times that at Callis Oval.
``I'm sure there's going to be some resistance. It's hard to accept the fact that you can no longer do something that you're used to doing.''
Pat Dolan, facility manager at AMHA, said the device will minimize damage from other safety devices being used now.
``Newer buildings have sprinkler heads that are designed to put out the fire, but the amount of water is voluminous and if you don't get there right away, there can be a lot of water damage. This device stops the fire before it starts.''
Housing officials will also offer safety classes to their residents to teach them how to use the device. Officials agree that the new device will give them some experience, some feedback and some peace of mind.
The Eisingers say the next phase of HomeSaver Enterprises is to develop a similar safety cut-off device for gas stoves, the toaster oven, coffee pot, curling iron and space heaters.
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic held his weekly press conference Wednesday in the manufacturing facility near the Akron Fulton International Airport where the HomeSaver 1 will be made.
The mayor said he was glad the company won't be outsourcing.
``We very much appreciate their keeping this product a local one from conception to completion,'' he said.
