Shoreline
Have You Heard ... ?
See page 12
Egg Hunt in a Pandemic
See page 19
Vol. 16, No. 3
A Shoreline Community, Pine Knoll Shores, N.C.
March 2021
NC Arbor Day Is March 19
By Charles Rocci
le
■0
Smoke Detectors Save lives
By Jason Baker, Pine Knoll Shores Fire Chief
Arbor Day celebrations will look a little different this year because of COVID-
19. Normally, the Community Appearance Commission (CAC) hosts an event
when they dedicate a tree planting and bring the community together. Sadly, we
will have to postpone that event until we have moved beyond COVID-19. We are
planning a tree giveaway in April, and more details will come for that event in the
near future.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Garden Club for their efforts
to trim and mulch the crepe myrtles along Pine Knoll Boulevard, which will add a
wonderful scenic view for the new sidewalk connecting the public safety building
to town hall.
Below is a brief history of North Carolina’s Arbor Day celebrations, provided by
former Town Clerk Sarah Williams:
In 1967, the state legislature ratified a bill stating: “... it is desirable that the
planting of seedlings and flowering shrubs be encouraged to promote the beautifi
cation and conservation of the vast and varied natural resources of North Caroli
na and ... the designation of a particular week in each year as Arbor Week would
encourage and draw public attention to a concerted effort by North Carolinians
to beautify and conserve the State’s resources by the planting of young trees and
shrubs.”
National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, but in North Carolina it is desig
nated as the first Friday following March 15. This year that will be March 19.
According to the NC Forest Service’s website, the first Arbor Day was in
Nebraska. J. Sterling Morton and his wife moved there from Detroit and went to
(Continued on page 5)
Unquestionably, operational smoke detectors save lives, yet more times than
not people only check them when they are having problems with them. Statistics
from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show that three out of five
fatalities in house fires occur due to lack of operational smoke detectors. That is a
sobering statistic that drives home the importance of working smoke detectors.
Correct placement is key. Smoke detectors should be placed on the ceiling
at least four inches from the wall. One should be placed in each bedroom and
also outside the bedroom. If your bedrooms are grouped together, you may be
able to use a single detector outside the bedrooms. Keep in mind: this detector
is in addition to the ones placed inside each bedroom. If your bedrooms are not
grouped together in your home, you will need to place a smoke alarm inside and
outside each bedroom.
It is important to place a smoke alarm in (or near) the kitchen area as well.
If you choose to place an alarm in the kitchen, it should be a “rate of rise” heat
detector, which will sound if the temperature in a room goes up too quickly
(rising at the rate of 12 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit per minute). A traditional smoke
alarm should be placed outside (but near) the kitchen, following the ceiling/wall
placement guidelines given above in the bedroom discussion.
In addition to the locations discussed above, there should be a working smoke
alarm on every level in your home, including the basement. On levels without
bedrooms, install alarms in the living room or family room and near the stairs to
the upper level.
Maintenance is a must. I have written several articles about smoke detectors,
their placement and maintenance—and I am glad to do it again to stress their
value to your family. Statistics clearly bear out that the smoke detectors in your
home should be tested monthly. A can of compressed air will make quick work of
(Continued on page 5)
March 14
Standard
Pre-Sort
Permit #35
TUV ^ k f i C
.\tlantic Peach, NC 28512