State fire officials last week recognized the Niles Fire Department for being the first in Illinois to reach the milestone of installing 1,000 upgraded, 10-year smoke detectors in village residents’ homes as part of a fire prevention and information campaign.
Ninety-six people died in fires in Illinois last year, said Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Government Affairs Director Margaret Vaughn at an Oct. 6 ceremony at which Niles Fire Chief Marty Feld was presented with a plaque to commemorate the 1,000-detector milestone.
The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and Office of the State Fire Marshal have been funding the purchase of the 10-year smoke detectors as part of the “Be Alarmed!” program, and local fire departments decide in which residential homes the new equipment will be installed.
Vaughn and others touted the benefits of the 10-year smoke detectors, including that since the batteries don’t need to be replaced as often, they are more likely to stay in working order.
“There’s no downside to having these new-style smoke detectors installed,” Vaughn said. “The law (requiring them) goes into effect Jan. 1. People should do it not only to comply with the law but for the peace of mind and safety of your family.”
She also stressed that people need to react quickly in a fire.
“The synthetic materials found in today’s homes create toxic smoke that (can) cause someone in a deep sleep to pass out after just a few deep breaths,” she said. “It’s critically important to have working smoke detectors and an escape plan.”
In addition to free smoke detectors, the ‘Be Alarmed!’ program—which began in 2018—provides education that in part helps inform the public about a new state law taking effect on Jan. 1.
The Smoke Detector Act, which then-Governor Bruce Rauner signed into law in 2017, mandates, among other requirements, that battery-powered smoke detectors must have batteries capable of lasting 10 years without needing replacement.
Officials pointed out that the upgraded detectors are economical.
“The cost of changing batteries every six months in old-style smoke detectors can add up as time goes on,” IFSA Executive Director Philip Zaleski said. “With the new 10-year sealed battery, you’re able to save $40 to $60 per device over that lifespan. If you have four smoke alarms in your home, that can be a savings of $200 to $250.”
Failure to comply with the Smoke Detector Act, Public Act 100-0200, is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,500 or both.
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“We encourage everyone to hold a family meeting, develop a fire escape plan and designate a meeting place outside,” Acting State Fire Marshal Dale Simpson said. “These simple steps can help reduce the risk of tragedy occurring in your community.”
Under the Be Alarmed! guidelines, a fire department can request 24 of the 10-year smoke detectors. Department personnel then must install the equipment and also share fire prevention information with residents.
Zaleski said the smoke detector program currently involves more than 200 fire departments in the state. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Illinois has 1,106 fire departments.
FEMA statistics for 2021 report that 486,500 structural fires caused $12.7 billion in damage and resulted in 3,010 civilian deaths and 12,600 injuries.
Another FEMA report from the same yearsaid an overwhelming majority of deaths and injuries resulted from cooking-related fires that took place in the kitchen.
Niles Mayor George Alpogianis also was on hand to congratulate the fire department.
“The men and women of our fire department are an integral part of keeping our village safe,” Alpogianis said. “Not only are they there to save lives but there’s a nurturing and caring component to their jobs as well. For that, the entire village is very grateful.”