A new campaign aimed at promoting fire safety for seniors in the community has officially launched thanks to a partnership between the STEAM Education Centre and the St Thomas Fire Department.
The Grandma Rocks! Check her Smoke Alarm, Save Her Life campaign came to life when the STEAM Education Centre’s STEAM Community Studio program tasked Fanshawe College students with prototyping a solution to the growing number of fatalities among seniors occurring during the pandemic.
Kim Destun, Chief Fire Prevention Officer with the STFD explains that the senior population is far more likely to become injured or killed as a result of a fire in their home.
The new campaign asks the public to ask themselves when was the last time they called a loved one to see if their smoke detector is working explains Destun.
The multi-media campaign has been translated into six languages and includes a billboard that has been installed at the St Thomas Fire Station.
Destun points to the importance of recognizing the diversity in the community they are reaching out to.
The hope is to add more languages to reflect community diversity in the future with volunteer support.
