CHICAGO, Ill. (WAND) — The second week in October is "Fire Prevention Week" in Illinois, and DCFS will distribute smoke alarms to thousands of families, reminding them that smoke alarms save lives.
This year's campaign is "Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!"
Fire Prevention Week will take place from October 6 to 12.
DCFS launched a statewide program to provide free smoke alarms in October 2019.
"We know that smoke alarms save lives, and providing free smoke alarms to the families we serve is a simple, and crucial, step we can take to keep them safe in the event of a fire," said Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller. "It is also important for caregivers to test their alarms once a month and practice a fire escape plan with their children so everyone knows what to do if the alarm sounds."
DCFS has given out 6,135 smoke alarms to families across Illinois since their program began in 2019. This year, they have handed out 1,368, which they say is an increase of 470.
The National Fire Protection Association says 3/5 of fire deaths happen in homes without alarms or no working alarms.
They add that more than one-third of fire deaths resulted from the lack of alarms. Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of death by 54%.
The state does require every home to have an alarm within 15 feet of every bedroom and one on every floor. If a family is being served by DCFS, the agency says they can contact their caseworker or field office to request one.
You should also test your alarms once a month, replace those ten years old, and have a fire escape plan.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year at this time in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which started on October 8, 1871, killing more than 250 people, leaving 100,00 homeless, destroying more than 17,400 structures, and burning more than 2,000 acres of land.
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