Local businesses provide dozens of smoke detectors

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About 100 families ventured out on a gray and rainy Wednesday evening and attended the Bounce for Fire Safety event and smoke detector giveaway at Becky Moore’s State Farm Insurance office in Mitchell.

With about $850 in smoke detectors given away, about one per family, Moore considered the event a success. The event was sponsored by Moore’s State Farm office, Thomsen Enterprises and Culver’s.

While poor weather prevented the event’s main attraction and namesake, a Palace Inflatables bounce house, from coming to fruition, a fire truck along with several Mitchell firefighters, Assistant Fire Chief Paul Morris and Public Safety Chief Lyndon Overweg were still on hand to give out smoke detectors. Frozen custard and coloring books were available for children, Moore said.

“We think we probably would have doubled the attendance if we were able to have it outside with the inflatables,” she said.

Morris said the string of fires in the area in recent months has led to an increase in requests for smoke detectors.

“Any time we can pair up with businesses in the community to promote fire safety and proper installation and use of smoke detectors, it’s a win-win for everybody,” he said.

Any family in need of a smoke detector can request one from the Mitchell Fire Division.

Morris referenced a house fire May 23 in Mitchell in which an adult and a child were awoken by a smoke detector and escaped the smoke-filled house without injury.

“They obviously make a world of difference,” he said.

Smoke inhalation claimed the life of Jaxon Sehnert, 3, and hospitalized his brother, Jacob, 6, after a house fire in Mitchell April 20.

To raise money for the Sehnert family, a group is holding a rummage sale from 4 to 8 p.m. today, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in the West Sixth Avenue and Duff Street neighborhood. Food, including a barbecue sandwich, hot dogs, chips, soda and water will be sold starting at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Tags: smoke detectors, life, updates, local, mitchell