This week marks fire prevention week as the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is reminding everyone about the importance of creating a home fire escape plan and practicing that plan with the whole family so everyone knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds. 

A free statewide program was launched in October 2019 by the DCFS to provide smoke alarms to families served by the department and as of August 31st, DCFS has given out 4,312 smoke alarms to families across Illinois who need it, including 897 this year alone. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of every five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.  More than 1/3rd of home fire deaths result from fires where there are no smoke alarms present and the risk of dying in a fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

Illinois law requires every home 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 to request one.  

For more information on Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general visit www.fpw.org.