Local firefighters ask residents to install lockboxes for quicker access

Ohio Township Fire Department is encouraging residents to install tamper-resistant Knox Boxes that store a house key so emergency responders can enter without forced entry; officials say the boxes can speed access during fires and medical emergencies and are managed through a cloud-based system.

The Ohio Township Fire Department is encouraging residents to install tamper-resistant lockboxes on their homes that store a house key for emergency access. The devices are known as Knox Boxes and are already common on commercial buildings. Fire officials say the boxes allow responders to enter without breaking doors or windows, which can save time in medical emergencies and fires. The department said it uses a cloud-based system to secure and monitor each key's access. Key details: - The devices are called Knox Boxes and are mounted outside to hold a home's key in a tamper-resistant container. - Fire officials said the boxes help speed entry for medical emergencies and fires and can prevent damage from forced entry. - The Knox Box system is common in commercial buildings, but residential adoption has been slower. - Online listings show a popular residential model, the Knox Box 3200, priced at about $500, and the department said residents are responsible for the cost of the box. - Only emergency personnel can access the boxes, and the department uses a cloud-based management system to secure and monitor access. - The release lists the fire department's Inspection Division phone number (812-858-4313) and website (www.ohiotownshipfire.org/contact) for residents seeking information. Summary: The department is promoting residential installation to improve response times and reduce property damage from forced entry. Undetermined at this time.