By Billy Davis

Volunteer firefighters in Courtland will be installing free smoke alarms in homes in their coverage area.

The fire department is providing the service Saturday, December 11, Fire Chief Michael Purdy announced this week.

Courtland’s coverage area, beyond the municipal limits, includes portions of the Independence and Eureka communities, and the stretch of Highway 51 from Courtland to Batesville.

To receive a smoke detector from Courtland VFD, call 662-934-1854.

House fires often occur during the Christmas season, making December an obvious time of year to distribute the life-saving devices, Purdy said.

Panola County government received grant funds in 2007 and 2008 to purchase smoke alarms after the county recorded nine fire-related deaths in 2007. Eight of the nine deaths occurred in a home, and none of the dwellings had a working smoke alarm.

Approximately 3,500 smoke alarms have been installed throughout the county to date, said Panola County EMA director Daniel Cole.

“We’ve still got plenty,” said Cole. To receive a smoke alarm, call Panola EMA at 662-563-6245.

The Courtland fire department, on December 11, “is pushing to install as many detectors as possible,” said Purdy.