Illinois Residents Urged to Test Smoke Detectors as Daylight Saving Ends

Prepare Your Home for Safety

As daylight saving time comes to an end this weekend, Illinois officials are urging residents to test, inspect, and replace any expired smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.

The Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) remind everyone that this is a critical step in protecting homes and families from potentially deadly incidents.

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In 2023 alone, Illinois saw 89 residential fire deaths, with many fatalities occurring in homes lacking working smoke alarms.

The Vital Role of Smoke Alarms

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly 60% of home fire deaths between 2018 and 2022 happened in properties without smoke alarms or with non-functional ones.

Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera emphasizes that “working smoke alarms save lives” by more than half.

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For maximum effectiveness, replace alarms every 10 years and opt for hardwired or sealed-battery models that offer reliable, long-lasting protection.

Essential Carbon Monoxide Precautions

Carbon monoxide, known as the “silent killer,” is equally dangerous. IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra warns that hundreds of Illinois residents end up in emergency rooms annually from CO exposure.

He encourages testing CO alarms and inspecting furnaces, as undetected CO leaks can be fatal.

Simple steps, such as not running vehicles in enclosed garages and avoiding indoor use of outdoor appliances, are essential for CO safety.

Practice Your Fire Escape Plan

Officials also stress that every household should have a clear fire escape plan.

Families should identify two ways out of each room, ensure windows and doors are accessible, and assign someone to assist those with mobility limitations.

With the right alarms and an actionable escape plan, Illinois residents can make their homes safer and save lives this fall.

More tips on fire escape planning can be found by CLICKING HERE.