Residential Knox "Home Box"

A Knox HomeBox enables the fire department rapid entry to your home, without damage. The Residential Knox HomeBox Program is a voluntary alternative to forced entry, delayed entry, or no entry when the fire department is called to your home for a fire alarm activation or medical emergency.

When firefighters respond to 911 calls, often the caller has fallen or is bed-confined and unable to get to the door. Doors have to be forced opened, causing damage, to provide badly-needed medical attention.  The Baytown Fire Department is initiating a new Residential Knox HomeBox Program. 

The City of Baytown has required commercial properties to participate in the KNOX Rapid Access System. The system is a secure emergency access program for property owners and fire departments. When a fire alarm is activated or there is a medical emergency, KNOX products allow immediate entry into buildings and property without forced entry damage or delay.  This program is now extending to residential properties.

The Residential Knox HomeBox 90 day loan program is being offered to Baytown residents who have temporary special needs or a physical disability preventing them from accessing and opening their front door to Baytown Fire Department personnel in the event of an emergency. The Knox HomeBox is a vault-style metal box with a door hanger attached and is meant to be placed over the top of the resident’s front entry door. Inside the box, a key to the residence is securely placed for access by emergency crews. The Baytown Fire Department is the only agency that can open the HomeBox. 

The 90 day program is first-come, first-serve, as the department purchased 20 of the Knox HomeBox at this time. Residents with long-term needs should consider purchasing their own permanent Knox HomeBox. The cost is $150 to $170 each. 

In order to be deemed eligible and loaned a Knox HomeBox from the Baytown Fire Department, a person must:

• Reside within the Baytown Fire Department response area
• Have an existing medical or physical condition (short-term or long-term) that could render them unable to open a locked entry door in the case of an emergency (i.e. individuals recuperating from a hospital stay or awaiting placement in an assisted living facility or skilled nursing facility). 

To apply for the Residential Knox HomeBox 90 day Program please fill out the Knox HomeBox Application and submit. You may also contact the Baytown Fire Department at 281-422-2311 or by email listed on the side of the page and a representative can assist you with a Residential Knox HomeBox Program application. 

If you would like to purchase a Knox HomeBox please read the Knox HomeBox Purchasing Guide (PDF).