Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow joined Peoria Fire Department officials Tuesday in promoting a free smoke alarm installation program.
The continued emphasis on the importance of working detectors is part of a second annual Smoke Alarm Blitz.
“Working smoke alarms save lives, and I cannot stress enough how vital they are in every home across Illinois,” said Pankow. “Fires burn hotter and faster today than they did decades ago, giving families less than three minutes to escape safely.
“That’s why it’s critical to test, inspect, and replace broken or expired alarms, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your local fire department for help. Our ultimate goal is zero fire fatalities, and ensuring every home has working smoke alarms is one of the most important steps toward making that a reality.”
Figures from the National Fire Protection Association indicate that working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 60%, and the majority of civilian deaths in home fires occur in structures with no alarms or alarms that aren’t working.
The free smoke alarm installation program is administered through the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance’s “Camp I Am Me” program. The Peoria Fire Department has installed more than 900 alarms in 359 households since joining the “Be Alarmed” program.
“These donated smoke alarms allow us to protect more homes, especially those most in need, by ensuring families have the early warning they need in the event of a fire,” said Peoria Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger. “This continued support helps us keep Peoria residents safe and ultimately saves lives.”
The fire department recommends installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of a home. Residents are encouraged to make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, to test their alarms monthly, and to replace broken or expired alarms and ones that are more than 10 years old.
