Community Service - Sep 28th - Installing Smoke Alarms for Seniors
Saving Lives: One smoke alarm at a time
Event Recap
FACT: People older than 65 years of age have a
home fire death rate nearly twice the national average. This increases
to three times the national average at more than 75 years of age. However,
having a working smoke alarm in your home cuts your chances of dying
in a house fire by 50%. (Source: Burn Institute)
A team of Harvard volunteers gathered at the San Miguel Fire Department on Saturday, September 28, 2013 for training on how to install smoke alarms. We then traveled a short distance to a Spring Valley mobile home community to visit the homes of senior citizens to install the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. The detectors were provided at no charge through a grant funded program. With step ladders and power drills generously provided by the Burn Institute, we were quickly in and out of each home. Still, were able to have rewarding conversations with several seniors that we served. We were also happy to have alumni children in some of the homes as great assistants who couldn't wait to hold a screw or the mounting bracket.
Before we started, a majority of the homes didn't have a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector. Most had two alarms each after our four hours of service. As a group, this event gave us the opportunity to connect with fellow alumni while being productive in giving back to our community.