Helping Students Sleep Safe: Emily’s Path Supports Fire Safety for Hard-of-Hearing Youth
At Emily’s Path, our mission is to bring happiness and security to children facing challenges — whether through simple joys or, as with the project below, something as vital as safety.
Recently, we were honored to contribute $3,000 toward the purchase of specialized bed-shaker smoke alarms for 26 hard-of-hearing students in the Wausau School District.
Why This Matters
Traditional smoke alarms rely on loud, high-frequency sound — signals many people with hearing loss cannot hear, especially when sleeping. The device purchased — a SafeAwake smoke-alarm aid — is designed especially for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing (or anyone who may not wake up to a standard alarm). When a connected smoke alarm goes off, SafeAwake responds by triggering:
A powerful bed shaker to physically wake the sleeper.
A low-frequency, high-decibel alarm, easier to detect for those with hearing loss.
A flashing light alert for visual notification.
This combination — vibration, sound, and light — dramatically increases the likelihood that a sleeping person with hearing impairment will wake in a fire emergency.
Partnering With Our Community
The need for these devices was identified by young members of our community,Elise and Aeryn Wetzsteon, who initiated a fundraiser as part of a Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes Silver Award project. Thanks to Emily’s Path and many other donors, Elise and Aeryn have achieved their goal of raising $6,400 to provide bed-shaker alarms for 26 hard-of-hearing students in Wausau by Christmas.
We were moved by their compassion and determination to make a real difference — and proud to step in and help with funding.
Because Safety Means Children Can Sleep Peacefully
For a child who struggles to hear — or doesn’t wear their hearing aids to bed — a standard smoke alarm simply isn’t enough. By supplying bed-shaker alarms, we’re not only leveling the playing field; we’re helping ensure every student can rest safely, without fear that a nighttime emergency might sweep in unnoticed.
At Emily’s Path, we believe that happiness isn’t just about toys or treats — sometimes it’s about the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re protected.
If you’d like to help fund future safety and happiness initiatives, please consider donating. Every contribution helps bring security — and joy — to a child’s life.