Tyler Moffitt
As 2010 arrived, the S.A.F.E. Baby (Smoke Alarms For Every Baby) program became 11 years old in Rainy River District.
Parents of new babies work hard to prepare their child for the future.
It’s difficult to imagine a cute little baby ever getting into trouble, much less a serious accident that could alter his/her and the parents life forever. Unfortunately, it happens far too often to ignore!
Preparations for the S.A.F.E. Baby program began back in 1998, with the program kicking off on Jan. 1, 1999.
It soon became apparent this was a project dear to many people’s hearts.
The important message that’s being delivered to parents is that children are particular vulnerable to fire! And the first step to take in protecting their newborn from fire is to correctly install a working smoke alarm inside the baby’s bedroom!
The smoke alarm is not intended to replace the ones people are required by law to have in their home!
The S.A.F.E. Baby program needed to happen, as well as be sustainable for many years to come.
Other communities across Canada have launched similar projects on a larger scale, delivering more smoke alarms, but many did not continue.
The program in Rainy River District is made possible and funded by Gillons’ Insurance Brokers Ltd., which has been serving Northwestern Ontario since 1924.
Holmlund Financial and Rice Financial have funded the program in the past, along with Gillons’.
Major supporters of the program have been the great people of the Rainy River District Mutual Fire Aid Association, the La Verendrye General Hospital Auxiliary, Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc., Atikokan General Hospital, and the Northwestern Health Unit.
As the founder and co-ordinator of the S.A.F.E. Baby program, I can say it’s been an honour to serve and work together with everyone in making this program a reality, as well as a sustainable one.
I look forward to celebrating future anniversaries of the S.A.F.E. Baby program for many years to come.
