GEORGETOWN, SC – Georgetown County Fire/EMS and the American Red Cross are teaming up on Mother’s Day weekend to make sure as many families as possible in the Plantersville area have working smoke detectors in their homes.
The two groups will be working from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 to install free smoke detectors in what they call a “Smoke Alarm Blitz.” The American Red Cross will provide the free smoke detectors and firefighters will coordinate volunteers and install the alarms in homes, said Harry Avant of Georgetown County Fire/EMS.
“We want to make this a successful event and get these alarms in every home that needs one, but we really need at least 50-75 volunteers to do that,” Avant said.
Volunteers willing to help out during the blitz are asked to call Avant at (843) 545-3140 or Deborah Johnson at (843) 241-5537. Volunteers may help with installations, education efforts for residents receiving alarms and/or assist with completing paperwork for each alarm installed. Volunteers will report to the Plantersville Fire Station at 14326 N. Fraser Street at 8:30 a.m. May 7.
The fire department is also looking for Plantersville residents in need of smoke alarms to sign up for installations. There will be no fee for the alarm(s) or installation, Avant stresses.
“Working smoke detectors save lives every day,” Avant said. “We’re making it as easy as we can to put them in homes, and we encourage any family who needs smoke detectors to take advantage of this opportunity,” he said.
Some detectors should be installed inside every bedroom in a home,” Avant added.
During the Smoke Alarm Blitz, firefighters will also work to educate residents on the importance of having a family escape plan for their home in case of a fire.
