News and Announcements

Conway, South Carolina—Horry County Fire Rescue will be holding a Community Safety Day Saturday, April 27, 2019, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the James R. Frazier Community Center in Bucksport.

This community public education event will feature representatives from Horry County Fire Rescue, Horry County Sheriff’s Office, Horry County Police Department, Horry County Emergency Management, Horry County Public Information as well as Grand Strand Health and Molina Healthcare of South Carolina.

There will be demonstrations and information on EMS, Investigations, Volunteer and Career Recruitment, Stop the Bleed, Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Preparedness Kits.

“Public safety agencies exist not only to respond to emergencies after the fact but to prevent or reduce the effects of their occurrence in the first place,” said Horry County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Chris Nash. “The Community Safety Day is a great way for Horry County Fire Rescue EMS to partner with other community organizations, and proactively go out into the community to discuss Community Risk Reduction.”

This family-friendly event will have giveaways as well as offer a chance for members of the community to see Horry County Fire Rescue, Horry County Sheriff’s Office and Horry County Police Department vehicles and officers up close. Media is welcome to attend.

Conway, South Carolina-Horry County Fire Rescue is holding a smoke alarm blitz, this Saturday, January 26, 2019, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This event was previously scheduled in December but was rescheduled due to inclement weather. Firefighters will be going door-to-door installing smoke detectors in four locations around Horry County. Message boards were posted in the communities earlier this week to let local residents know about tomorrow’s event.

“Smoke detectors save lives, and we are committed to ensuring the fire and life safety of Horry County residents,” said Horry County Fire Rescue Chief Joseph Tanner. “The smoke alarm blitz has been a very successful program here, and we will continue to host these and other fire safety events in our community.”

Each of Horry County’s four battalions will be working at four different locations—

Battalion 1: Woodridge Mobile Home Park off Mineola Avenue in Little River

Battalion 2: Backwoods Mobile Home Park off Peachtree Rd. in Socastee

Battalion 3: Saddlebrook Mobile Home Park off Long Avenue Extension

Battalion 4: Chase Street off Hwy 917

Residents who would like to request a smoke alarm can fill out the online request form here.

Horry County, South Carolina - Did you know, in less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire? Your risk of injury or death in a home fire changes with age. If you have young children or older adults living in your home, they may need your help to stay safe. Here are some important ways to keep your home and your loved ones safe from fire.

Fire Safety If You Smoke

• Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths for adults 65 and over. It is also the third leading cause of fire injuries for older adults
• If you smoke, smoke outside.
• Never smoke in bed, while drowsy, or while under the influence of medication or alcohol.
• Use deep, sturdy ashtrays.

• Before you throw out your cigarette butts and ashes, make sure they are completely cool. Put them in water or a can that is filled with sand.
• Check furniture and places where people smoke for smoldering cigarette butts and ashes—especially before going to bed.
• Never smoke where medical oxygen is used, even if it is turned off.
• Keep smoking materials, including lighters and cigarettes, up high and out of the reach of children. Use child safety locks where you store your smoking materials.

Fire Safe Cooking

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires in America. Many older adults also experience burn-related injuries during cooking. Prevent fires and burns by being watchful and alert when you cook.

• Don’t cook if you are sleepy, have consumed alcohol, or have taken medicine or drugs that make you drowsy.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
• Keep cooking surfaces clean and free from anything that can catch fire.
• Never lean over a lit burner.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves while cooking. Loose clothing can catch fire if it touches a gas flame or an electric burner.
• Check the kitchen after you finish cooking. Make sure the oven, burners, and other appliances are off.

• If a fire starts, stay calm and get out. Once out, call 9-1-1 from a cell phone or a neighbor’s telephone. Have an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your house where first responders can see you.

Practice Electrical Safety

Older homes are more likely to catch fire from electrical causes than newer homes. Older wiring may not have the capacity to safely handle newer appliances and equipment and may not have updated safety features.

• Electrical work should only be done by a licensed electrician.
• Check all electrical appliances often. Replace cracked, damaged, and loose electrical cords.
• Replace outlets if plugs do not fit snugly or the outlet does not accept plugs with one blade larger than the other.
• Major appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers, dryers, etc.) should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
• Plug only one high-wattage appliance into an outlet at a time, even if the outlet has space for two plugs.
• Avoid using extension cords. Have a licensed electrician determine if additional outlets are needed.
• Arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) shut off electricity when a dangerous situation occurs. Have a licensed electrician install them in your home.
• Find reasons for blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers. Have a licensed electrician inspect and correct the problem.
• Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or light fixture.

Every year in America nearly 3,000 people die in home fires. Many of these people die in homes that do not have working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms warn you and your family when there is a fire. They can save your life!

As always, if there is a fire emergency, call 9-1-1 as soon as possible and remain outdoors. Never return inside a burning building to retrieve an item.

Conway, South Carolina-The US Coast Guard will establish a 200-yard safety zone on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway encompassing all waters directly under the SC Hwy 31 project, including any vessels and/or machinery associated with construction on the following dates/times which are subject to change and weather permitting: 

• October 27, 2017, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. CANCELLED
• November 3, 2017, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• November 10, 2017, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• December 2, 2017, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• December 12, 2017, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• December 21, 2017, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Entry of vessels or persons into the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or a designee. Mariners are urged to plan accordingly to avoid unnecessary disruptions. For questions, contact Sector Charleston Waterways Management Division at (843) 323-7761 or the sector’s 24-hour Command Center Line at (843) 740-7050.
 

Keeping yourself safe during the Holidays:

• The first thing to understand is that there is no such thing as a “safe area.” You should be cautious and alert at all times, and always be aware of our surroundings. Make eye contact with everyone if possible, thieves avoid people who seem too alert and may have already noticed them. 
•  If you start to have a bad feeling about your surroundings, stop and pay attention to these feelings, it is your intuition telling you not to proceed. 
•  Go out with a companion. Thieves try to target people whom they perceive as more vulnerable: the elderly, women alone or women with children. 
• Think about what attracts a criminal: wrapped gifts, flashy jewelry, a large purse that looks stuffed with goodies, smart phones, shopping bags, etc. Don’t leave these things sitting in your car where everyone can see them, place them in the trunk instead. 
• Try to do all of your shopping at once and avoid making multiple trips to your car with merchandise. Always assume that someone is watching you. 
• Be mindful of your purse while shopping. Do not leave it sitting in the shopping cart or place it on a counter; if you’re distracted even for only a few seconds, a criminal can take it or reach into it and grab a wallet, a phone. 
• Avoid being engrossed in your smart phone or tablet. So many people keep their heads buried in a cell phones while walking in a parking lot or even crossing the street. 
• Pay attention to where you park your car. Park in well lit, well used areas, and when returning to your car walk straight to it. Have your keys ready in your hand, and look around to make sure everything is ok before you unlock your car. 
• If you exit a mall late at night, try to walk with others so you’re not alone in that environment. 
• In crowded areas like a mall, be alert for pickpockets. Check yourself quickly if someone bumps into you because they may have picked your pocket or purse. 
• If you are working late, walk out with a co-worker or call security and have them walk you to your car. 
• Be attentive when walking or driving up to an ATM machine. Take note of who is in the area. Is there a car just parked nearby? Are there a lot of bushes where someone can hide and jump out at you? If you are not sure, just bypass it and go to a different ATM. The most you will lose is time and possibly gas, but at least you’ll be safe. 
•  If you are robbed, do not stand your ground for the sake of your purse, wallet, or goods. Your safety is more important. 

Keeping your home safe during the Holidays:

• Make sure you always lock your doors and windows, and keep your curtains or blinds closed. The more that people can see into your home, the more likely a thief will target your home. 
• Trim hedges, bushes and trees around doors and windows. Be able to approach your door from the outside and be certain there is not an intruder waiting for you; 
• Train kids to never open the door to strangers, only to family or friends who know the “password”. 
• If you have an alarm system use it. 
• If you like to put presents under the tree, try to put the tree where it cannot be seen from the front door.
• If you feel you are being followed home, don’t pull into your driveway. Instead, keep driving and go to a well-lit or crowded location, police or fire station. 
• Do not announce your activities and plans on social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook, this will give potential thieves a “heads up” that your house is available. 
• Check ATMs for skimming devices—gas pumps are popular too—that can store or transmit credit information to a thief. 
• Keep track of online orders. Find out when it is scheduled to be delivered and make sure someone is there to receive it so it is not sitting on the porch. You may choose to pick up expensive items at your nearest UPS, USPS, or FedEx facility instead by notifying that carrier accordingly. 

Keep your information safe during the Holidays:

Identity theft is another threat during the holiday season, with law enforcement seeing incidences of ID theft and fraud increase dramatically at this time of year. 

• Reduce your chances of becoming victimized when shopping online by: 
• Using only secured websites. Secured websites have a Web address beginning with “https.” 
• Dedicating one credit card for online purchases—a low-balance one is best. 
• Monitoring your account frequently to see whether or not you have been compromised. 
• Not using a debit card linked to a checking account. 
•  Not using your main ATM card that you have to live off of. If fraudulent activity is discovered, the bank can freeze your money for a week or more. 
•  Do not use free public Wi-Fi? It is really easy for hackers to eavesdrop on your connection and steal your information. 
• Do not click on email offers or promo codes. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website. Even the most legitimate-looking email could be from hackers’ phishing for account info. 
• If you need to create an account with an online retailer, do not use the same email address and password you use anywhere else. This is such old advice it may seem obvious, but many attacks are still successful because people reuse the same combination of email address and password in multiple sites, and attackers know it. It’s not worth the risk. 
• Use apps, not your phone’s web browser. Apps for sites like Amazon and Wayfair usually have an extra layer of security and encryption, making them safer to use when you’re out in public. 
• Never save your credit card information in retail sites and web browsers. If they haven't stored it, it can't be stolen from them. Retail data breaches have led to the compromise of millions of credit cards. 
• Use mobile payment technologies, like Android Pay and Apple Pay. They cannot be cloned like traditional magnetic stripe cards. 
• Most importantly, set your phone to require a PIN or fingerprint to access it!