KAUMAKANI — Fire prevention week extinguished with the successful installation of more than 100 smoke alarms on the west side of Kauai.
The National Fire Prevention Week Campaign concluded on Oct. 12 in a successful and distinguished collaboration with the Hawaii Red Cross (HRC), Kauai Fire Department (KFD), Gay & Robinson (G&R) and community volunteers, who successfully installed approximately 140 smoke alarms at the Gay & Robinson Village housing in Kaumakani.
“We are really thankful for everyone here,” said Kaumakani resident Edith Abigania “Because we are seniors, just having this little equipment here in our home to keep us safe is very appreciative. Most seniors here are on a fixed income, and having this installed for free, that helps quite a bit.”
This year’s theme: “Smoke Alarms Make Them Work For You!” combined the perfect collaboration with the Hawaii Red Cross’s “Sound The Alarm Campaign,” which runs year-round and strives to educate everyone on the importance of having working smoke alarms at home.
“This collaboration is priceless. The partnership that we have and the relationships that we’ve built with G&R, KFD and especially in this community is important because you need to know your neighbor,” said Hawaii Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Manager John Blalock, who is a retired fire battalion chief.
“As a retired fireman probably one of the hardest things for us is to see a fatality, we are still trying to get over the Lahaina incident, and we want to do what we can. Fire has no demographic so we think ahead, how can we make it better to make it safer, and it’s up to everyone, so check your neighbor, and ask, Do they have a plan?Are your smoke alarms working? Because that’s what a community does.”
The 60 residences that signed up for the program had smoke alarms installed in hallways and outside each separate sleeping area to ensure smoke alarms met all the needs of all family members.
“The Fire Prevention Bureau signed up because after the fire that occurred here in July, we know this demographic and the density and age of the homes, there are a lot of kupuna here and we wanted to make sure they are knowledgeable of how to escape and have a plan in case of an emergency,” said KFD Fire Inspector Jacob Minei.
“It’s very important that people have working smoke alarms in their sleeping area so that they’ll be notified as soon as possible if they have to evacuate their homes in a minute or two, so early notification is important along with having a game plan.”
On average, the Hawaii Red Cross responds to emergencies, most of them fires, every three to four days. But having a working smoke alarm can cut the risk of death by half.
“Remember it’s the little things that will help save your ohana and yourself,” Blalock said. “Test your smoke alarms now, check on your neighbors, love each other, love our island.”
Smoke alarm installations are by appointment only. To make an appointment call the Hawaii Red Cross office at 808-739-8111. To become a volunteer visit www.redcross.org.
