Anyone passing Milltown Community Centre last Thursday evening would be forgiven for thinking there was a major emergency when they saw the blue lights flashing on emergency vehicles from the Fire Service, Civil Defence, Gardaí, Order of Malta and more. They were gathered for what proved to be an amazing night of information, freebies and fabulous food prepared by members of the Ukrainian community living in Mearescourt House.

Inside, representatives from all the emergency services including the Road Safety Authority, the lifeboat service, the Order of Malta, and others, had stalls with leaflets on their services and loads of free gifts, from hi-vis jackets and torches, to waterproof pouches for phones.

Eric Smith from the Mullingar Fire Service said everyone should have a smoke detector in their bedroom (only three people in the audience had). Overloading plug sockets by connecting several devices is dangerous, as is plugging in a phone and then putting it under your pillow, he warned.

Tumble dryers and dishwashers are a “notorious” cause of house fires and should never be left unattended when on, he added.

Every household should have an exit plan, and everyone should know the Eircode and to call 999 or 112, in the event of a fire, to ensure that emergency services get to you faster, he said.

‘Keeping the Community Safe’ is a new campaign that aims to fit 10-year smoke alarms in homes. People are invited to contact the Fire Service as they may be eligible to have their homes checked out for fire risks and have free smoke alarm fitted, and if you know of a neighbour who might benefit, let them know, Eric said. Those present were invited to sign up to the scheme.

Nicola Walsh from the RSA said more men than women die on the roads each year and the 16-to-26-year age group accounts for the highest rates of fatalities. Nicola stressed the importance of wearing hi-vis jackets when out walking, day or night. She showed a startling clip of three people wearing hi-vis walking towards the camera in the dark; only when they got closer did you realise that there were seven people; four of them were wearing white clothing but had not been visible as they approached.

Donna Price, founder and chair of the Irish Road Victims Association, lost her 18-year-old son Darren in a road accident in 2006. She spoke of the devastation such a loss can have on a family. The charity provides help and support and pays for bereavement counselling for those affected.

Martina Donlon, Midlands Regional Drugs and Alcohol Task Force, revealed that one in five drinkers have a problem and alcohol causes seven kinds of cancer. She talked about the effects of cannabis and cocaine on mental and physical health. Martina urged anyone with a drugs or alcohol problem or anyone that is being targeted over a drugs debt to contact the service.

Frank Golden of Iarnród Éireann gave a talk on how to use level crossings safely. Since Covid, people are rushing more and barrier strikes and red light running have become common, he said. It takes a train travelling at 90kmh one kilometre to stop, longer for freight trains – and trains can’t swerve, he pointed out.

Killian O’Kelly of the RNLI advised that if you get into difficulty in the water, lie on your back and float till you get your breathing under control. He stressed the importance of wearing a life jacket; “life jackets are like seat belts; everyone should wear one and the day you use it is the day you need it”.

“If you see someone in difficulty, don’t take out your phone and start recording – call 999”, he said. Throw them a ring buoy, a hurl, stick, whatever is available, but never get into the water yourself, he warned.

Paul Heduan from Milltown GAA, who organised the event as part of the Healthy Clubs initiative, thanked all who attended. He showed a powerful video produced by TY students in Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar, highlighting the danger of texting while behind the wheel or walking.

Speaking after the event, one woman said, “the personnel and equipment and their friendliness and information were top class, not to mention all the freebies”, while another praised “the huge effort made in organising it, including the refreshments provided by our lovely Ukrainian neighbours”.