Knox Box Offers Peace of Mind

Peace of Mind in a Tamper-Proof Box

Anytime Chatham Emergency Services personnel are dispatched on an emergency call, whether for a fire or medical emergency, our goal is to assess the situation, identify the problem, and fix it as soon as possible. If we arrive on the scene to find the house tightly locked with no apparent means of entry, our ability to respond quickly to the emergency is severely impacted. There have been occasions when we could not gain access to a residence that neighbors, having noticed our presence (it is hard to miss all those flashing lights), were able to provide a key. Unfortunately, many other times a key doesn’t fortuitously appear. Ultimately, if we can’t gain access to your home and feel it is necessary, we will forcibly enter the structure. This can be a laborious process and will likely result in property damage.

A simple way to ensure emergency responders have rapid access to your property is by installing a Knox Home Box. The Knox Home Box is a highly secure key safe mounted to your home’s exterior and can be opened only by fire or emergency medical personnel. All you have to do is purchase the box (either online or by phone), have it installed, and have us secure your key inside. This is a one-time purchase, and there is no ongoing fee.

You can purchase a Knox Home Box online or by phone (www.knoxbox.com/Products/Residential-KnoxBoxes or 1-800-552-5669). Follow the directions to select your State and local Fire Department/Agency (Southside FD/Skidaway Island Division) and purchase your preferred model. Your box will be shipped to your home address. Once you receive your Home Box, you may install it yourself or have a contractor or handyperson do it for you.

Once your Knox Home Box is installed, please visit our website (https://chathames.org/crr) . There you will see a red box that says KnoxBox Form. Please fill out the form and one of our engines will be dispatched to your location on a non-emergency basis to secure your key inside the box. Along with your key, you should also include any relevant alarm codes, contact information, and the number and type of pets in your home.

To be clear, Chatham Emergency Services does not profit from your Knox Home Box purchase or installation. Our only benefit is easy access to your property in an emergency.

If you have questions or need further assistance, please email me (hmarr@chathames.org).