MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)- Firefighters and the American Red Cross installed more than 140 smoke alarms in Patrick’s Mobile Home Park Monday.
Last year, News 13 covered a smoke detector blitz that took place in the Racepath Community. According to Disaster Manager Lou Palm, those alarms have already saved 12 people.
The Red Cross hopes to install 25,000 alarms in South Carolina this year, starting with Patrick’s Mobile Home Park.
“A smoke alarm though gives you two extra minutes to get out of your house and that’s all you really have before the toxic fumes knock you down,” said Palm.
Kevin Mishoe had three alarms installed in his home.
“We’re always putting off those thing for tomorrow and sometimes tomorrow never gets here,” he said.
According to Palm, it’s especially important to check alarms this time of year. He says half of home heating fires occur during the winter months.
“Tonight there is going to be a lot of people using fire places, using ovens to heat their homes in our communities, very dangerous time of year, these are nights that I worry very much.”
Palms says having one smoke alarm isn’t enough he recommends the phrase beep where you sleep.
“Have a smoke alarm in each active bedroom,” he explained.
Even Becky Robertson from the hit television show Myrtle Manor needed to update her alarms.
“I didn’t have any smoke detectors that worked,” she stated.
Robertson thanked firefighters and volunteers for making Patrick’s Mobile Home Park much safer
“Hopefully all of our families now will be well prepared,” said Robertson.
The next smoke detector blitz will happen Saturday in Darlington.
