Senior citizens who live in rural areas have a new sense of security.

The Broome County Triad is distributing free home beacon lightbulbs.

Action News Reporter Jessica Light shows us how they work and how they can help.

Wayne and Katherine Barber love living out in the boonies.

But what if something happened to this 80 year old couple?

Would emergency crews be able to quickly find their home tucked behind the trees?

"Its very easy to miss as your traveling by. Especially if you're in an ambulance and you're in a hurry." says Wayne Barber.

That's why the Barber's are installing the home beacon, a special light bulb.

With a few quick flicks of the switch this otherwise ordinary light turns into a flashing signal for help.

The Broome County Triad is handing out about 640 of these bulbs starting with senior citizens in Eastern Broome County.

"In an emergency, minutes count. So even knocking off 3 minutes from somebody trying to find your house out in the middle of nowhere is going to help make sure you're safe and taken care of." says Shelli Cordisco, from the Broome County Triad.

If emergency crews were headed down Dunbar Road to help the Barbers it might be hard to find a number on their mailbox. But the blinking light can still be seen through the trees.

It's important that the Barber's neighbors know what the blinking light means so they would know to check or call 911.

This sense of security does come with a catch.

You have to be able to reach the switch to turn it on.

"If you can get to the phone to call 911 make every effort you can to make your next step flipping a light switch." Cordisco says.

As for the Barber's Wayne says "We're usually together. So there's gonna be one of there if the other does go down."

Bringing a little peace of mind to their country home.

In Windsor, Jessica Light, WBNG-TV Action News.
Broome County Triad is a partnership between law enforcement and senior citizens groups and agencies.
You can request a beacon through Action for Older Persons at 607- 722- 1251.
The more requests, the more funding Triad hopes to tap for free distributions.
You can buy one 25 dollars through the website www dot 911 beacon dot com.