Myrtle Beach, SC (Saturday, November 7, 2015) – Grand Strand Health and the American Red Cross partnered with Horry County Fire/Rescue to conduct a Fire Safety Smoke Alarm Blitz in the Atlantic Beach Community. Horry County first responders went door-to-door and installed 76 smoke alarms into homes in the community.
Of the homes inspected, 88% were unprotected. In some cases, the smoke alarm batteries were either dead or missing. Volunteers from the American Red Cross, Lowes Home Improvement Store and Grand Strand Health assisted Horry County first responders with the installations.
Smoke alarms were donated by Grand Strand Health and the American Red Cross to help with this outreach. “Reaching this many homes in a few hours is a great effort by all involved and we are honored to partner with our first responders for this cause,” states Dr. Antonio Pepe, Grand Strand Health’s Trauma Medical Director. “Smoke alarms save lives! Remember to make sure you test your smoke alarms yearly.”
Along with the smoke alarms, fire prevention safety tips were given with each installation and education about a life safety plan. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms. Those homes that were not reached today were left information about fire safety. It is important to test smoke alarms on a monthly basis, replace the backup battery once a year and replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years.
Last year, Horry County Fire/Rescue and partners reached homes in the Cedar Branch, Bucksport and Racepath communities. For additional information about fire prevention and smoke alarm requests, visit Horry County Fire/Rescue.