A Fair aimed at increasing safety awareness in Anguilla is believed to have had a meaningful impact on the many adults and school children it attracted on the grounds of the Agricultural Department on Friday, June 21.
The theme of the Fifth Annual All Hazards Risk Reduction & Safety Fair was: “Making safety a lifestyle not a resolution.” The Fair’s overall objectives, as previous Fairs, were to promote safety and risk awareness on the road, in homes and at the workplace; to promote safety products and services; to broaden awareness of safety hazards and mishap prevention; to build an overall culture of safety and generate awareness of all hazards on Anguilla.
Governor Alistair Harrison, whose office has responsibility for disaster preparedness, emphasised that there were risks all around at places least expected.
He observed that the kitchen was perhaps the most dangerous place in the home, and cautioned families to be aware of the possible dangers to children handling such equipment as stoves, ovens and toasters and who may accidentally set fire to homes. “You have to remember that probably the most hazardous place that we know is our own home – and factoring all these things in our lifestyle can make a tremendous difference,” he added.
The then Acting Chief Minister, Evan Gumbs, commended the Essential Services Subcommittee of the National Disaster Management Committee for its dedication and sustained efforts in addressing hazard risk reduction and safety as a national issue. He specified boat-racing, fishing and other cultural practices as having potential hazardous risks and appealed to the people of the island to exercise caution at all times. “Every facet of our lives will be impacted positively once we are dedicated to making safety a lifestyle and not a resolution,” he stated, referring to the theme of the Fair.
Other speakers were Mrs Jennifer Gumbs of the Anguilla Cancer Society who encouraged information gathering as a key element in preparing for any eventuality; Ms Susan Hodge of the Department of Disaster Management who, among other matters,stressed the importance of persons being conversant with the history of disasters on the island; Ms Melissa Meade, Director of Disaster Management, who delivered the closing remarks and the Vote of Thanks. She said her department was working towards developing a culture of safety in Anguilla and urged all persons to join in that effort in their own interest. She was grateful to all who contributed to the success of the Risk Reduction Fair.
During the event was a demonstration by the Anguilla Emergency Technicians and the Anguilla Fire & Rescue Services. It involved a faked accident in which a car plunged over a hillside with its injured driver. The roof of the Agricultural Department was used as the fall-off point.
The Platinum Sponsor of the Fair was ANGLEC and the Gold Sponsor DIGICEL. The Silver Sponsors were LIME, SOL, Medical Air Services Association(MASA), Caribbean Cable Communications and the Royal Anguilla Police Force.
The various booths were mounted by participants such as the Departments of Health Protection, Environment, Fisheries, Probation and Health Promotion. Also the Water Authority, Port Security, MAICO Insurance, Red Cross, the Anguilla Community College, the HIV/AIDS Programme, the Ham Radio Society and the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Housing.
