Along with new batteries for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, Mattapoisett firefighters brought a message to residents this weekend: have a plan.

Interstate Battery donated 250 batteries to the Fire Department and firefighters installed them in homes on Saturday and Sunday.

Lt. Justin Dubois headed the program and said he wanted to help families, especially those with young children, to develop a plan to evacuate their home in case of a fire. On Saturday morning, Dubois and firefighter T.J. Henshaw visited the home of Anna DePina, where her grandkids Kira and Paul Pedrosa often stay.

After replacing their batteries, Dubois gave the family safety tips.

If there's a fire, he told them to leave from the closest door. If they can't do that, he said "open a window and yell as loud as you can." Dubois said waving blankets or anything that could draw attention is key when you can't get out of a burning house.

Getting her autistic grandson out of the home in an emergency would be a challenge, said DePina.

"He doesn't have a high concept of danger," she said.

Brittany DeJesus of Life Stream works with Paul to help with his development.

"Paul has a very limited set of safety skills that he can work this," she said.

Paul is non-verbal and does not have the fine motor skills to open doors and windows yet.

Dubois said he would investigate ways to alert first responders to Paul's presence in the home and other safety measures the family could take.

In the mean time, they are reinforcing safe evacuation methods with Paul and practicing a safe meeting place – a tree in their neighbor's front yard.

Of the program, DePina said, "I think it's great."

The department is still making appointments to install batteries. Call 508-758-4150 for information.