Town of Batesburg-Leesville Announces Free Safety Blitz for Residents

Batesburg-Leesville , SC – The Town of Batesburg-Leesville’s Fire Chief, Jay Hendrix, is excited to announce a Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Blitz on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 at approximately 9:00am. There is no cost to residents.

This is the second in a series of five public safety campaigns to promote carbon monoxide awareness and safety in the Midlands. These blitz activities are funded by a grant awarded to the Jeffrey Lee Williams Foundation by the Firehouse Sub Public Safety Foundation. This award has led to the formation of The Greater Columbia Carbon Monoxide Safety Consortium, which is planning, implementing and evaluating blitz activities.

Blitzes are one-day neighborhood events where teams of fire service professionals and volunteers walk door-to-door checking homes for smoke and CO alarms. Chief Hendrix stated, “We are thrilled to have teams that are able to change batteries, install, and /or replace CO and smoke alarms at no charge to residents. Fire safety educational materials will also be left with each household visited by the teams!”

The goal of the blitz initiative is to protect residents. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of poison related death nationally. Each year more than 400 people die as a result of exposure. Carbon monoxide cannot be seen, smelled, heard or tasted.  It is deadly, yet injury and death are easily preventable with a few precautions. The Jeffrey Lee Williams Foundation was created in response to Jeffrey’s tragic death from CO poisoning. He was only 11 years old.

You can reach Chief Jay Hendrix at 803-413-7934. To find out more and to stay up-to-date, follow the Town of Batesburg-Leesville on Facebook and Twitter.