From 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, the Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District and Campobello Fire Department, with the support of the American Red Cross and Fire Safe South Carolina, will install residential smoke detectors in qualifying homes at no charge.
Smoke Alarm Blitz — May 9, 2019
Smoke alarms give early notification of a possible life-threatening fire emergency. For South Carolina residents, the Smoke Alarm Program provides life-saving smoke alarm technology.
Did you know?
- You should have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside every sleeping area (to include the living room), and outside every sleeping area.
- A smoke alarm, the entire device, should be replaced every 10 years.
- Alarms with 10-year sealed batteries, lasting for the life of the alarm, are preferred. Otherwise, batteries should be changed twice a year.
- Alarms should be checked monthly by pressing the test button.
From 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 9, the Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District and Campobello Fire Department, with the support of the American Red Cross and Fire Safe South Carolina, will install residential smoke detectors in qualifying homes at no charge.
To qualify, you must be a resident of either the Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District or the Town of Campobello, and you must allow fire personnel in to your home to professionally install and test the smoke alarm. That’s it.
If you’re interested in having a free smoke alarm installed in your home, please send your name, address, and contact phone number to smokealarm@landrumfire.com.
Winter Holiday Safety 2018
Decorating the house is one of those activities that really helps set the tone for the holiday season. At our own houses, it gets us in the mood, and at other people’s houses, it’s a signal that they’re in the spirit, too.
As much fun as it is to spread joy during the season, it’s important to do it safely.
Here are a few tips we want to pass from our house to yours.
Holiday Season Safety Facts
- One-third of home decoration fires are started by candles.
- Two of every five decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.
Holiday decorating
- Be careful with holiday decorations.
- Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
- Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
- Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
- Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
- Keep decorations away from windows and doors.
Holiday Entertaining
- Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
- Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
- Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
- Ask smokers to smoke outside.
- Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
- Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers.
- Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.
Also, make sure to blow out lit candles when you leave a room or go to bed, and turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
To download a copy of these tips to share with family and friends, click HERE.
Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Research
Kidde Recalls Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms Due to Risk of Failure to Alert Consumers to a Fire
FROM THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
Description:
This recall involves models PI2010 and PI9010 of Kidde dual sensor (photoelectric and ionization) smoke alarms. “KIDDE” is printed on the front center of the smoke alarm. The model number and date code are printed on the back of the alarm.
Model: PI9010 (DC/battery powered) — Date Code: 2016 Sep. 10 through 2017 Oct. 13
Model: PI2010 (AC/hardwired) — Date Code: 2016 Sep. 10 through 2017 Oct. 13
Remedy:
Consumers should remove the alarm from the wall/ceiling and visually inspect it through the opening on the side of the alarm for the presence of a yellow cap. Consumers should not attempt to take apart the alarm, open the casing, or otherwise remove the yellow cap themselves. If a yellow cap is present, the consumer should immediately contact Kidde to receive instructions and request a free replacement smoke alarm. They should remove and discard the recalled smoke alarm only after they receive and install the replacement alarm. If no yellow cap is present, consumers should reinstall the smoke alarm and no further action is needed.
Incidents/Injuries:
The firm has received one report of the yellow protective cap being present on a smoke alarm before it was installed in a consumer’s home. No reports of incidents or injuries as a result of a yellow cap being present have been reported.
Sold At:
Menards, The Home Depot, Walmart and other department, home and hardware stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, ShopKidde.com and other websites from September 2016 through January 2018 for between $20 and $40.
Manufacturer(s):
Fyrnetics Limited, of Hong Kong
Importer(s):
Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Company Inc., of Mebane, N.C.
Distributor(s):
Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Company Inc., of Mebane, N.C.
Manufactured In:
China
Recall number:
18-128
Consumer Contact:
Kidde toll-free at 833-551-7739 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, or online at www.kidde.com and click on “Product Safety Recall” for more information.
Fire Safety for a New Year
Only 17 days in to the new year, South Carolina is averaging a fatality a day from fire.
The winter months typically see more residential fires than any other time of the year. Last year in South Carolina, there were 85 fatal fires resulting in 100 deaths, and several of those fatalities were “heating related,” according to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
Most heating related fires are preventable, and the Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District wants to offer some safety tips to help reduce the risk of fire.
- When using kerosene and/or space heaters, only use them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. They can be a convenient supplemental heat source, but they must be used properly and safely. Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs. If cords are frayed, worn, or damaged, do not use the heaters. Never leave a heater unattended. Turn off any heaters when leaving a room. Do not let pets or children play too close to it. Keep the unit on a flat surface at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Refuel kerosene heaters outdoors. Additionally, always plug space heaters directly into the wall outlets. Do not use extension cords or power strips.
- Heating pads and electric blankets also pose fire risks – especially if they are more than 10 years old. Do not allow anything on top of either when in use – this includes other blankets or pets. Never fold electric blankets or use while sleeping.
- Portable generators are commonly used in the winter as a result of storm-induced power outages. Carbon monoxide fumes are odorless and deadly. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to prevent death from carbon monoxide.
- Be careful when using candles. They are an open flame. Never use candles if oxygen is used in the home. Use sturdy candle holders and extinguish them upon leaving a room or going to sleep.
- Have flashlights ready to use in case of a power outage.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
- Chimneys should be cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional each year. If not, it can become filled with highly flammable layers of creosote.
- Do not use the kitchen oven to heat the home. It is not designed to heat large areas, and the heating element may fail causing a fire.
Also, please remember that safety guidelines recommend that smoke alarms should be installed on every level of a home and inside and outside sleeping areas. If your alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them. If you need smoke alarms installed in your home for the first time or if you need them replaced, the Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District has 10-year smoke alarms available upon request. State law also requires landlords to provide smoke alarms for their tenants. The tenants are responsible for maintaining the alarms.
Landrum Area Fire and Rescue District personnel will deliver and install the smoke detectors and also provide a 5-minute tutorial presentation in the home where the alarms will be placed. Just call (864) 457-3101 to schedule an appointment.
Finally, if there is a fire emergency in your home, dial 9-1-1 immediately, and stay outside. Never reenter a burning building to retrieve an item. Things can be replaced. You can’t.