Business

Berkeley Electric To Give Away Free Smoke Alarms

by Nikki Gaskins Campbell
Local electrician and BEC member, Carlton Wilson, shows off one of the four smoke detectors installed in his home through a new partnership between the American Red Cross and Berkeley Electric.
Local electrician and BEC member, Carlton Wilson, shows off one of the four smoke detectors installed in his home through a new partnership between the American Red Cross and Berkeley Electric.

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Berkeley Electric Cooperative is partnering with the American Red Cross on a new program to help install smoke alarms in the homes of its members. As part of the initiative, Berkeley Electric is purchasing a supply of lithium-battery smoke alarms, which feature a 10-year lifespan.

With the help of the Red Cross and local rural fire departments, Berkeley Electric will have the smoke alarms installed for free in a member’s home. Although the program will focus primarily on the needs of the Co-op’s elderly, disabled and low-income members, it will also be available to the membership-at-large as well. The Energy ExpertsTM at Berkeley Electric will also help install smoke alarms when they are conducting energy audits at the member’s home.

American Red Cross volunteer, Ray Henderson, installs a smoke detector in a BEC member’s home. According to the Red Cross, there should be smoke detectors in every bedroom and in the common living areas of the house.
American Red Cross volunteer, Ray Henderson, installs a smoke detector in a BEC member’s home. According to the Red Cross, there should be smoke detectors in every bedroom and in the common living areas of the house.

With today’s home electronics and building materials, smoke inhalation is more lethal than ever, with families often having as little as two minutes to escape from their home. That is why the second part of the program encourages members to “Have a Plan” for escaping the house in the event of a fire.

Local electrician and BEC member, Carlton Wilson, recently sat down with Red Cross volunteer, Sandy Klein, to map out his escape routes while four smoke detectors were being installed in his home.

American Red Cross volunteer, Sandy Klein, reviews possible escape routes with homeowner, Carlton Wilson as part of the “Have a Plan” program.
American Red Cross volunteer, Sandy Klein, reviews possible escape routes with homeowner, Carlton Wilson as part of the “Have a Plan” program.

“As an electrician, I have always been very safety conscious,” said Wilson. “I think that this is a great thing that Berkeley Electric is doing to help keep their members safe…and it’s something that they didn’t even have to do,” he said. “The smoke detectors along with all of the information that the Red Cross provided makes me feel even safer in my own home,” Wilson said.

Members who are interested in receiving free smoke alarms and a creating an emergency plan should contact Leisa Stilley at (843) 761-8200 ext. 8531.
Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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