Henan Jiaozuo: Chinese Warmth on the Double-Ninth Festival

The Double-Ninth Festival fell on October 18, 2026, the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. It is a traditional Chinese festival with a history of more than 2,000 years. Volunteers from State Grid Jiaozuo Power Supply Company visited local elderly people living alone to provide volunteer services and show care and respect for the elderly.

"My eyesight is poor now that I'm getting older, and I dare not touch some electrical circuits myself. I feel much more reassured now that you've come to check for potential hazards," said an elderly resident living alone, holding the volunteer’s hand. During the visit, volunteers carefully inquired about the seniors’ physical conditions and daily lives, reminded them to dress warmly as temperatures dropped, and helped clean their rooms. They also inspected sockets, switches, electric wires and household appliances one by one, promptly eliminating potential electrical hazards, such as aging circuits and overloaded power strips. They also patiently reminded the elderly of key electrical and household safety precautions: not to touch switches with wet hands, to disconnect appliances from the power supply after use, and to ensure proper ventilation when using gas.

"Many elderly people living alone lack regular care. By visiting them at home and checking their electrical equipment, we can help them avoid quite a few electricity-related problems," said one volunteer.

Going forward, State Grid Jiaozuo Power Supply Company will continue to focus on the practical needs of elderly people who live alone, are advanced in age or have limited mobility. It will regularly provide door-to-door services, including electrical hazard inspections, electrical safety education and assistance, so that senior citizens can use electricity with greater peace of mind and enjoy a more comfortable life. These heartwarming festival activities not only embody the fine traditional Chinese virtue of respecting and caring for the elderly in contemporary society, but also convey to the world the warmth of China through its care for older people and its spirit of kindness and mutual assistance. (By Li Xiaojuan)