In the spirit of Fire Prevention Week, the West Columbia Fire Department has a message.

“Smoke detectors have been proven to save lives,” said West Columbia Fire Chief Chris Smith. “We never want any loss of life.”

Smith said the American Red Cross supplies smoke detectors that his department installs in homes whose resident can’t do it themselves.

“All homes should have a smoke detector,”said Smith.

Fire Prevention Week is a good time to check smoke detector batteries.

West Columbia’s Fire Prevention Officer Rodney Howell said fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are essential.

“We want to make sure there is every opportunity to get out of the house in the event of a fire,” said Howell.

“We’re proactive to provide smoke detectors in every home,” he said.

“If there is a fire, somebody is already having a really bad day. We don’t want to respond to a bad situation, where someone is hurt.”

Howell teaches West Columbia students about fire prevention. He was at Saluda River Academy for the Arts, last Thursday.

Howell said children are told to “stop, drop and roll” if their clothing catches fire. “He said they learn that in school.

“It’s our point to reach them at a young age,” Howell said.