Community Care for Seniors celebrated Meals on Wheels month by having Fire Prevention Officers on special delivery every Friday.

The importance of healthy nutrition, social interaction, and regular safety checks came together in a special home delivery in Picton.

Mary Sinclair is recovering from an accident. She admitted she is a bit of a foodie — and she loves the week’s worth of meals she receives through Community Care’s Meals on Wheels program Monday through Friday. 

“It’s great. It’s a full course with soup, and I always look forward to the dessert,” she said. “My mobility is still not great. I can get out of the house, but Meals on Wheels saves me a lot of shopping and moving around in the kitchen too much.”

Chef Bill Grieve of Wheelhouse Catering prepares meals on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the meals are delivered from the kitchen at H.J. McFarland Home.

Ms. Sinclair added she also enjoys interacting with the regular delivery drivers.

“It’s nice to have them stop by and check in and we always talk about the weather,” she said with a laugh.

Alarm Check

On Friday last week, Prince Edward County Fire & Rescue Officers Mike Branscombe and Kiera Schulert dropped by and make sure all was well with Ms. Sinclair — and with her carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.

The fire prevention officers also checked to make sure Ms. Sinclair’s extension cords and power bars are up to code and have Underwriters Laboratories certification.

“We want to make sure there are clear access points should emergency services have to pay a visit and also ensure space heaters have a one-metre clearance from any combustible,” Officer Branscombe said.

With the recent change to Daylight saving time, Officer Schulert said most clients had remembered to change the batteries in their smoke alarms when they changed their clocks. “If they need assistance, we are able to help them with the battery change and to test the alarm,” she added.

The officers also looked at manufacture dates on both CO2 and smoke alarms, and checked on placement. Alarms should be replaced no longer than seven years after manufacture date and installed close to the ceiling. ”If it’s too low on the wall, smoke will build up before the alarm gets activated and your chances of escaping are drastically reduced,” said Officer Branscombe.

For more information on the Meals on Wheels program, visit https://www.communitycareforseniors.org/ or call (613) 476-7493.