Fire Prevention WeekTM is Oct. 9-15, and Illinois DCFS is taking this time to remind the public about the importance of creating and practicing a home fire escape plan so they know what to do if the smoke alarm sounds.
In October 2019, DCFS launched a statewide program to provide free smoke alarms to families served by the department. To-date, DCFS has distributed 3,154 smoke alarms to families across Illinois, including 897 this year.
Keeping children safe is our #1 priority and ensuring that every family we serve has a working smoke alarm is an extra layer of protection we can provide," said Illinois DCFS Director Marc D. Smith. "We know smoke alarms save lives, but families also need to be prepared with a plan so they can quickly get out of the house and to a safe meeting place if the alarm sounds."
According to the National Fire Protection Association:
- Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.
- More than one-third (38%) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
- The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.
Illinois law requires every household to have smoke alarms within 15 feet of every bedroom and at least one on each floor of the home. Families served by DCFS may request smoke alarms from their caseworker or call their local field office directly to request one.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit www.fpw.org.
Categories: Illinois, Rural Lifestyle