Prairie State Wire

As temperatures drop, Illinois residents are urged to take precautions against home heating fires and carbon monoxide incidents. The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) advises having furnaces checked, changing filters, and ensuring carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms are functional. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas detectable only by specific devices.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. From 2016-2020, fire departments responded to an average of 44,210 fires involving heating equipment annually. These incidents accounted for 13% of all reported home fires during this period and resulted in an annual average of 480 civilian deaths. Space heaters were responsible for the largest share of losses in these fires.

"During the winter months we see an increase in home fires caused by heating devices or malfunctioning heating equipment," said Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera. "Today, contents inside homes burn hotter and faster than ever before leaving less than 3 minutes for your family to escape."

In 2023, Illinois Fire Departments responded to over 21,000 calls about carbon monoxide according to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). CO leaks were confirmed at more than 8,800 locations.

Symptoms of CO poisoning resemble flu symptoms: headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. Other indicators include condensation on walls and windows or sluggish pets. If you suspect CO presence or if your alarm activates, evacuate immediately if possible.

Additional safety tips include having professionals inspect heating equipment annually and keeping flammable items three feet away from heat sources. Residents should also test smoke and CO alarms monthly.

Rivera emphasized the importance of working smoke alarms: "It's simple; Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives!"