DawsonTimes.com

Dawson County Emergency Services provides free smoke detectors to Dawson County residents.

Over the Labor Day weekend, Dawson County Emergency Services responded to a report of a mobile home fire on Kelly Bridge Road.   The residents were not home at the time and fortunately a neighbor heard the smoke detector alerting and phoned 911.

It is no coincidence the residence had a working smoke detector.  It had been installed just months ago by Dawson County Emergency Services as part of the free smoke detector program.

“This is an example of how early detection can minimize damage and in many cases save lives,” remarked Deputy Chief Tim Satterfield.

The Kelly Bridge home fire was the result of food left cooking on the stove while the residents were away and was contained to the kitchen.  Damage to the home was in fact so minimal due to early detection that the residents were able to stay in the home that night.

Each year more than 4,000 Americans die in fires and approximately 20,000 are injured.  “Many might be alive today if they only had the information needed to avoid a disaster,” said Satterfield.  “Eight-two percent of all fire deaths occur in the home,” he said.  “Having a working smoke detector reduces your chances of dying in a fire by nearly half,” he continued.

“Dawson County Emergency Services works diligently to ensure every home in the county has a working smoke detector,” said spokesperson Cathy Brooks.  “Inspectors will also provide fire safety tips, and evaluate appliances, electrical plugs and other potential fire hazards around the home as part of the prevention program.  They will even aid residents in the creation of a home fire escape plan,” Brooks said.

Free smoke detectors and installation are available to any home in the county.  To schedule an appointment to receive a smoke detector, please contact Dawson County Emergency Services at 706-344-3666.

Deputy Chief Tim Satterfield also suggests the following fire prevention tips: 

Watch what you’re cooking – Stay in the kitchen when you’re frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove. 

Give space heaters space – Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep. 

Smoke outside and keep matches and lighters out of reach – Ask smokers to smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers. Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock. 

Inspect electrical cords – Replace cords that are cracked or damaged, have broken plugs or have loose connections. 

Be careful when using candles – Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep. 

Have a home fire escape plan – Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year. 

Install and test smoke alarms – Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound. Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm chirps to tell you the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old. 

Install sprinklers – If you’re building or remodeling your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive.

Remember, stay fire smart.  Don’t get burned!

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