Cha Kwo Ling Squatter Area in Kwun Tong lives 600 households with 3,000 residents. In January 2006, 3 times of fire broke out, leaving nearly 200 villagers homeless. Some of the affected people were relocated by the Housing Department to government public housing estates in other districts, and some of them rented wooden houses or flats in Cha Kwo Ling. Since the houses in the area are mainly built by iron sheets and wood planks, the fire is a potential risk all the while. Besides, snakes, ants and rats always emerge because the area is so close to the hill. In addition, most of the houses do not have toilet facilities. All these factors induced the environmental hygiene to become a great concerned.

To assist the community to improve the condition, a one-year home safety program is launched by Hong Kong Red Cross started from November 2006 to October 2007 in Cha Kwo Ling Squatter Area. Twenty-six “Safety Ambassadors” were recruited to implement the service. 35 singleton elderly were visited regularly, various home safety knowledge including fire, infectious diseases, home accident, cold spell and heatstroke preparedness were delivered to villagers by conducting seminars. 
In order to reduce the fire risk, we also assisted to inspect and replace substandard sockets and electric plugs. Furthermore, anti-slip mats were also distributed to needy to minimize home risk, so that the living safety could be improved, life and health would be protected.

Inspecting socket at the home of elderly

Knowledge on infectious disease prevention is delivering to villagers through the talk.