Illinois Fire Departments Stress Smoke Alarm Safety

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois fire officials are urging residents statewide to ensure working smoke alarms in every home as part of the Be Alarmed! program and annual Statewide Smoke Alarm Blitz. Last year, 71 fire departments installed 2,351 alarms in 743 homes and educated more than 1,600 residents on fire safety. The program provides free 10-year battery smoke alarms and encourages proper placement, monthly testing, and replacing units older than 10 years to prevent deaths and injuries in residential fires.