The Natick Fire Department has received grants to help educate school-aged children and seniors about critical life safety education, State Rep. David Linsky has announced.

The department has been awarded $8,579.85 through the Student Awareness of Fire Education program. This program sends firefighter-educators into the community to deliver lessons on fire safety to young people.

They also received $3,3922.03 for the Senior SAFE program, which is delivered to older adults at senior centers, councils on aging and home visits.

The two programs are aimed at specific populations because children and older adults are disproportionately at risk of suffering fire-related fatalities, Linsky said.

“I am thankful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for facilitating the provision of these grants, as they are critical in averting the unnecessary tragedy of preventable fire deaths in our towns and across the Commonwealth,’’Linsky said. “I look forward to seeing our dedicated firefighters out and about, helping to educate us and our neighbors of how to stay safe and prevent the incidence of dangerous home fires.’’