Aico is proud to support a vital safety initiative in Jamaica, helping families understand the hidden dangers of Carbon Monoxide during hurricane seasons when portable generators serve as a back-up power source.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, prolonged power outages affected communities across Jamaica, leading to widespread reliance on portable generators as an essential temporary power source. While generators play an important role during emergency situations, their use, particularly in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, can present a significant Carbon Monoxide risk. As a colourless and odourless gas, Carbon Monoxide can build up without warning and have serious, potentially fatal consequences.
A Collaborative Community Effort
The initiative was led by Samuel Spence, an Environmental Health Practitioner, and delivered in collaboration with the St. James Public Health team, the Salvation Army Caribbean Territory, and the Jamaica Fire Brigade.
Samuel Spence commented “Working through established local partners allowed more effective engagement with communities, and ensured that the messaging was both trusted and relevant to how generators were actually being used.”
Targeted Engagement and Insights
These insights informed a targeted approach to community engagement. Safety messaging focused on safe generator placement, the importance of ventilation, and the recognition of Carbon Monoxide symptoms, delivered in accessible and practical terms. Engagement was adapted to suit each environment, from presentations within schools to informal discussions in clinic waiting areas and wider community settings.
“Through the engagement work, we identified a number of cases where generators were being used in close proximity to living spaces or in areas with limited ventilation. Being able to combine practical advice with alarm provision meant we could respond directly to those higher-risk situations.” – Samuel Spence
Practical Safety Solutions
Alongside awareness-raising activities, Aico donated Carbon Monoxide alarms which were distributed to higher-risk households identified through engagement and survey data. This ensured that support was directed towards homes where the risk of exposure was considered greatest, while also helping families better understand the importance of ongoing Carbon Monoxide protection within the home. The Ei208 alarms are easy to install and battery operated, eliminating the risk of power supply issues due to outages.
The initiative also extended beyond households and into local retail environments. By introducing simple safety messaging at the point of generator purchase, the project aimed to reinforce key guidance at the moment it was most relevant. Providing advice during the purchasing process helped encourage safer generator use before risks could arise.
Global Commitment to Safety
The work demonstrates how Aico’s commitment to home life safety can support practical interventions beyond the UK, particularly within international, post-
disaster settings where temporary power solutions are widely used. It also highlights the value of partnership-led approaches to public health challenges, combining local knowledge, community trust and practical safety support to deliver meaningful impact.
With hurricane season approaching, potentially affecting many countries around the world, the initiative reinforces the importance of continued awareness around generator safety and carbon monoxide risks. Through collaborative working and proactive education, the partnership has helped improve awareness within communities while supporting safer practices during periods of emergency response and recovery.
At Aico, we are committed to protecting home life through education, partnership and practical safety solutions, helping to ensure communities are better informed and better protected when it matters most.
