DHEC fire safety programs begin in Lake City, Sumter

By News & Post Staff Reports

Published: June 24, 2008

Fire safety education and smoke alarm installation programs are under way in Sumter and Lake City, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced recently.
“Fire death rates in Sumter and Lake City are higher than state and national averages, and median household incomes are below the poverty level,” said Neal Martin, DHEC’s fire safety program coordinator. “The CDC grant will allow us to serve those who are most vulnerable to residential fire injuries as well as educate the public about fire safety.”
“Local firefighters will visit households with children under the age of six or adults 65 or older to install long-lasting, lithium-powered smoke alarms and share fire-safety education messages,” Martin said.
“Families without a working smoke detector in their home may request one through DHEC’s county public health departments in Lake City, Florence, Kershaw and Sumter counties.”
According to Martin, the fire prevention program is funded by a five-year grant from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through DHEC’s Office of Injury Prevention.
“Each year, two additional health department sites are included in the program, which targets counties in DHEC’s Region 4, including Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Kershaw, Lee, Marion, Marlboro and Sumter,” Martin said. “The grant is in its second year and will eventually allow all 10 counties to be served by the smoke detector program.”
Martin said CDC statistics list fire as the third leading cause of fatal home injuries in the nation. South Carolina ranks fourth nationally in fire deaths. In 2005, deaths from fires and burns claimed the lives of 3,030 people nationwide and injured nearly 14,000. From 2000 through 2005, residential fires injured nearly 500 people in Sumter and 225 in Lake City.
Martin urges citizens to change and check the batteries in home smoke detectors twice a year when clocks are changed for daylight savings or standard time. DHEC also emphasizes these fire safety tips:
* Develop an escape plan; discuss it with your family; practice your plan.
* Determine an outdoor meeting place for all family members to gather.
* Assess electrical outlets to ensure they are not overloaded. 
* Don’t leave burning candles or cigarettes unattended.
* Don’t smoke in bed.
* Don’t place space heaters near furniture or draperies.
To contact your local DHEC county public health department, please call: Lake City (843) 394-8822 Florence (843) 661-4835, Kershaw (803) 425-6012, or Sumter (803) 773-5511
For more fire safety information, please visit DHEC’s Web site: http://www.scdhec.gov/health/chcdp/injury/residential_fire.htm.