By Joel Spears

CHURCH HILL — On Friday, the Carter’s Valley Volunteer Fire Department rolled into Carter’s Valley Elementary School with sirens blazing and lights flashing.
    They weren’t there to put out fires, but they might have prevented a few.  Each year, the department delivers free smoke detectors to CVES students who request them.
    Letters are sent home to parents to make the announcement and ensure each child’s family has at least one working smoke detector in their home.  
    Those who do not have a smoke detector return a request form back in to receive a free device.
    This year, fire chief Michael Yates said 30 smoke detectors were handed out to the kids.
    “That is equal to approximately seven percent of the school’s population.,” he said.
    A fire safety poster contest was also held at the school from which six winners were chosen for a chance to ride to school on a CVVFD fire truck.
    “It’s a great project the kids enjoy and something that helps make their home more safe,” Yates concluded.
    Winners of the fire safety poster contest at Carter’s Valley Elementary School were Taylor Pounders, Chloe Ketron, Jake Peek, Haley Powell, Tesla Christian, and Tucker Click.