Buffalo Grove Fire Department performed largest smoke detector installation blitz in Illinois

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department (BGFD) installed 539 smoke detectors in senior housing units from Oct. 22-24, marking the largest effort of any fire department in the state participating in the “blitz.” Approximately 50% of the units had no fire protection (no detectors, bad batteries or old batteries).

BGFD was among 48 participating fire departments in Illinois to have received a donation of 10-year, sealed battery smoke detectors from the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) and Camp I Am Me.

IFSA has expanded the program this year after securing grant funding this past summer.

“In a fire, seconds count, and properly working smoke detectors can alert you and your loved ones to a fire and give you the proper warning needed to make a safe escape,” said Duputy Fire Chief Shawn Collins. “This combined effort significantly decreased the likelihood of a fatal fire at this housing facility.”

BGFD firefighter/paramedics and volunteers from the village’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) performed the smoke detector installations in 208 senior housing units in Buffalo Grove’s Cambridge on the Lake neighborhood. The new smoke alarms replaced older models dating back to 1993.

Nationally, almost 60% of home fire deaths had either no smoke alarms present or no working smoke alarms. BGFD encourages residents to replace any smoke alarm over 10 years old with one that has a 10-year lithium-ion battery, and ensure your home has enough alarms. Install an alarm in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Smoke detectors should be tested at least once a month to ensure that they are functioning properly.

The Illinois Smoke Alarm Law was updated, effective Jan. 1, 2023, and now requires Illinois residents to replace their old smoke alarms with the type that has a long-term, 10-year sealed battery. This would apply to residents that are still using alarms with removable batteries or alarms that are not hardwired. Smoke alarms in single or multifamily homes prior to Jan. 1, 2023 may remain in place until they exceed 10 years from their manufactured date, fails to respond to operability tests, or otherwise malfunctions.

More information on this law update is available at bit.ly/ILsmokealarmlaw.