OPERATION 100 SMOKE ALARM PROGRAM
If there were to be a fire in your home tonight, would your family survive? Properly placed and maintained smoke alarms can increase your chances of survival by fifty percent.
Most residential fire deaths occur between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. This is the time of greatest danger, when people are asleep. The primary killer is smoke and poisonous gases which overcome victims as they sleep. When a fire breaks out, there is a limited amount of time that a person has to escape. With the early warning of a smoke alarm, you can be awakened in the early stages of a fire.
Illinois law requires that every residence be equipped with one approved operating smoke alarm within fifteen feet of every room used for sleeping purposes. It is also recommended that at least one smoke alarm be placed on each level of a home.
Placement of smoke alarms is important. Because smoke rises, the alarm should be mounted on the ceiling or high on a wall. If wall mounted, the top of the alarm should be four to twelve inches from the ceiling. A ceiling mounted alarm should be at lease four inches from any wall. Caution should be used to keep the alarm away from drafts created by fans or air ducts.
It is important to maintain your smoke alarms. They should be tested once a month by pressing the test button. Batteries should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Smoke alarms for your home should be labeled by a nationally recognized fire-testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Properly installed and maintained smoke detectors, along with a family escape plan, can provide you and your family with the necessary early warning to escape a home fire. The Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District offers to any district resident the following assistance:
- Check the operation and/or replacement of existing smoke alarms (older than 10 years).
- Install smoke alarms that you have purchased that have not been installed.
- Provide and install a new smoke alarm (free of charge) to any senior citizen or physically challenged household.
- Assist you and your family with a home escape plan.
Any resident located within the boundaries of the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District can obtain these services by calling us at 847-945-4088. We will set up a time to stop by and assist you.