As part of an ongoing fire prevention and safety awareness drive, the Fire Service installed free working smoke detectors in a number of homes on both Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. The recipients were five senior citizens, including home-bounds, in each of the six districts of the Cayman Islands, including 103-year-old Ms Lillian E. Pearson of George Town.
Fire Service officers either installed new smoke detectors or replaced spent batteries and ensured the existing detectors remain in good working condition, explained Acting Senior Divisional Officer in the Fire Prevention Unit, Mr. Brevon Elliott. The devices were purchased by the officers themselves from a charity fund and generously donated as part of their service to the community.
Mr. Elliott underscored the importance of all ensuring that smoke detectors are kept in good working condition. Not only is it the law but a properly working smoke detector could mean the difference between life and death, he cautioned.
People tend to forget replacing dead batteries in smoke detectors or keep them in working order. Worse, some disable them worried they will go off each time they cook.
Generally, smoke detectors are installed 10 feet away from kitchens to prevent them going off unnecessarily. But when fire accidents occur in the kitchen, they will go off. “Remember, smoke detectors are the first line of defence should a fire start in your home. They should not be tampered with but remain, at all times, in good working order,” Mr. Elliott reiterated.

“We will continue to promote different aspects of fire prevention during each quarter of this year,” Mr. Elliott added. “As we know all too well, a little prevention goes a long way.”

Tips about Home Smoke Detectors
The Fire Service offers some tips about home smoke detectors:
• Install smoke detectors inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area.
• Install a smoke detector on every level of the home.
• Install a smoke detector in the basement.
• Test all smoke detectors at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Replace all smoke detectors every 10 years.
(GIS)

For the official Cayman Islands Government web portal, www.gov.ky:
Web title: Fire Awareness Drive
Web blurb: Fire Service officers install smoke detectors in homes of some of Cayman’s senior citizens.

Photo captions: Photos: Supplied
CB – Mrs. Naomi Walton was happy to chat with Brac Fire Officers who attended to install smoke detectors at her home. L-r Officers Mr. Witney Tatum, Mr. Colburn Martin, Mr. Brevon Elliott, Mr. Elton Martin, Mr. Kirk Watson, Mr. Peter Dixon and Mr. Stanford Watson.
BT – Acting Senior Divisional Officer in the Fire Prevention Unit, Mr. Brevon Elliott installs a working smoke detector in a home in Bodden Town.
EE – Mrs. Reba Forbes in East End poses with Fire Service officers who installed new smoke detectors in her home: l-r: Mr. John Christian, Mr. Norman Josephs, Mr. Brevon Elliott and Mr. Marvin Menendez.
GT – 103-year-old Mrs. Lillian E. Pearson welcomed Fire Service officers who installed smoke detectors in her home: (l-r) Mr. Brevon Elliott, Mr. Richard McLaughlin and Mr. Bryce Webb.
NS – Mr. Elmo Miller was one of the recipients of the Fire Service Officers’ generosity in North Side. Officers are l-r: Mr. Marvin Menendez, Mr. Brevon Elliott, Mr. Norman Josephs and Mr. John Christian.
WB – Fire Service officers, with Mr. Asley Ebanks in West Bay after they installed smoke detectors in his home: l-r: Mr. Brevon Elliott, Mr. Henry Ebanks, Mr. Dean Morales, Mr. James Bodden and Mr. James Dixon