By Rev. Karen Kluever
Guest Writer
The public is invited to a Home Safety Giveaway event featuring Hinton Rural Life Center’s "house on wheels." This first-ever safety learning and giveaway event will be from 12-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, in the parking lot of Nantahala Bank, 102 US-64 E. It will focus on fire safety in the home.
“We premiered our tiny house mobile teaching unit in the Christmas parade,” said Rev. Dawn Martin, director of Program Ministries for Hinton Center. “Did you know your zip code may be a better indicator of your health than your genetics? This house on wheels is a new component of our Safe and Healthy Homes initiative, in which we want to creatively engage our neighbors in learning basic things they can do to stay safer and healthier in their homes, like fire safety and home maintenance tips. Our new house on wheels helps us talk about how to have a safe and healthy home in fun but practical ways.”
At their first safety learning and giveaway event on Jan. 29, Hinton Center will have resources and information about fire safety, carbon monoxide detection and much more. Giveaway items include smoke detectors and fire blankets. In case of weather concerns, event updates will be posted on Hinton Center’s Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/HintonRuralLifeCenter on the day of the event.
Hinton Rural Life Center offers Safe and Healthy Home assessments to residents in Clay County. There are no financial guidelines or requirements for having a Safe and Healthy Homes check done at your home. Examples of categories on the home assessment include mold/mildew, smoke detectors, steps/railings, exits, electrical outlets, window/door seals and lighting. Hinton Center also offers home repairs for those who have financial need or extenuating circumstances. To learn more visit Hinton’s website: www.HintonCenter.org/missions or call 389-8336.
Hinton's house on wheels will be rolling into different areas for more Home Safety Giveaway events in the future and will highlight other areas of home safety.
Hinton Rural Life Center is a retreat and mission outreach agency of the United Methodist Church and serves the three-county area of Clay, Cherokee and Towns counties through its Safe and Healthy Home Repairs, firewood, Leadership Chatuge training and retreat ministries.