By Jacqui Smith If it wasn't for the flashing light by her bedside and the vibrating pad under her pillow, Denise McIndoe would sleep right through a house fire. Mrs McIndoe, the service co-ordinator for Deaf Association Tauranga, is one of almost 100 deaf people in the Bay of Plenty whose homeshave been fitted with hi-tech fire alarms over the past 18 months. All the organisation needs to do now is raise another $4800 to install fire alarms in the remaining eight deaf people's homes. About 100 deaf people live in the Bay of Plenty between Whakatane and Rotorua and the special smoke alarms cost $684 each. "Deaf people can't afford to buy the special equipment as it is very expensive. A hearing person can afford to buy a smoke alarm as they are only $10 each," Mrs McIndoe said. Installation of the special fire alarms was also complicated because they have to be adapted to suit the unique layout of each deaf person's home, she said. Eighteen months ago, the deaf association began fundraising for the alarms because they were not Government-funded. Most of the fire alarms have been paid for by pub gaming machine profits and the fire service has helped out with installation and education. Even once the last $4800 is raised, their job won't be finished, Mrs McIndoe said. There were always new deaf people moving into the area or young people moving out of home. Mrs McIndoe said it was imperative to get the last eight homes equipped with fire alarms. Last year, one of the first deaf people to receive a smoke alarm had a first-hand encounter with how the device can save families. While she was asleep one night, her young daughter decided to cook toast but it caught fire and set off the alarm. "She could have been badly hurt," said Mrs McIndoe.
