Prairie State Wire

Governor JB Pritzker has declared October 6-12 as Fire Prevention Week in Illinois. This announcement comes as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half. Alarmingly, three out of five fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms.

In 2023, Illinois experienced 89 residential fire deaths, mostly in homes lacking functional smoke alarms. Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera emphasized the importance of maintaining smoke alarms: "It's important that folks are pressing the test button on their smoke alarms monthly, checking to make sure their alarms are newer than 10-years-old, and replacing any broken or expired alarms." He added, "The key to this year's theme is, ‘WORKING smoke alarms save lives!' Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a home fire."

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) advises installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of a home. They also recommend ensuring that these devices meet the needs of all family members and testing them monthly.

In collaboration with Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (CIAM), OSFM is organizing a "smoke alarm blitz" from October 20 to 26. The initiative aims to distribute working smoke alarms and educate families on fire safety. Philip Zaleski, Executive Director of CIAM, noted: "The partnerships we have built between us, the OSFM and the 305 Illinois fire departments participating in this program has led to more than 35,000 smoke alarms being distributed to protect Illinois residents."

The "Be Alarmed!" program provides free educational materials and sealed battery smoke alarms through funding from CIAM and OSFM. The program targets at-risk homes across Illinois.

For further details on this initiative or information about Fire Prevention Week and smoke alarm maintenance, resources are available at fpw.org.

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