Homes in Sulphur Springs get safety improvements

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Hundreds of volunteers descended on Tampa's Sulphur Springs neighborhood Saturday to roll up their sleeves and help make improvements on 38 homes.

Everything from fresh coats of paint to new door knobs and motion detection lights went in to help improve safety and give neighbors peace of mind.

The City of Tampa as well as several community groups have made Sulphur Springs - one of Tampa's most troubled neighborhoods - a point of focus for revitalization. For years, the city has worked to clear vacant lots used as illegal dumping sites, tear down abandoned homes and add street lights.

Saturday's celebration of National Rebuild Day, was organized by Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, a non-profit that provides critical home repairs for families in need.  Lowe's Home Improvement stores also pitched in to help.

In addition to the 38 homes receiving "healthy home kits", a personalized box of supplies donated by Lowe's and installed by volunteers, Tampa Fire Rescue teamed up with volunteers to canvas the neighborhood in order to check smoke detectors and install the critical safety devices in homes that needed them.

"That is the very basis of protection," said Tampa Fire Inspector Tom Miller. "For individuals that can't afford that, we're out here to not only provide that smoke detector, but also to install it."