Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment, Urban and Rural Development, Christopher Sinckler, presenting Clyde Bishop with a smoke detector today at his home. At centre is Acting Chief Fire Officer, Randolph Cox. (A.??Miller/BGIS)??

The Ministry of Social Care is committed to assisting with the prevention of fires in this country.

This was underscored by Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment, Urban and Rural Development, Christopher Sinckler, as he delivered remarks today during the installation of a smoke detector by the Barbados Fire Service, at the home of Clyde Bishop.

Mr. Bishop, a double amputee, was the first person to receive the device, as part of a project being undertaken by the National Disabilities Unit (NDU), in conjunction with the Barbados Fire Service. The initiative was developed to ensure that in the event of a fire, persons with mobility challenges would have an early warning system, and therefore would have sufficient time to evacuate the building.

Minister Sinckler also mentioned the increasing number of fires in the island, and pledged the support of Government, particularly the Ministry of Social Care, in ensuring that these are prevented.

The Minister lauded the venture which was also part of the Barbados Fire Service’s ???Safety in the Home’ campaign. ??He noted that the device would not only be beneficial to Mr. Bishop, but also to his neighbours, some of whom were also disabled.

Stressing that this was only the first phase, Mr. Sinckler affirmed that the NDU would continue to install the smoke detectors in homes across Barbados. The Social Care Minister further added that eventually the service would be extended to cater to persons with other disabilities.??????

"We also intend to ensure that persons who are visually or hearing impaired may also benefit. ??We are trying to get those devices which flash continuously if there is a problem at the residence," he stated.

sharifa.medford@barbados.gov.bb

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