Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. People have a misconception that the smell of smoke will wake you up if you are sleeping. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.

Facts

Roughly two thirds of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half. DON’T FORGET……All smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month using the test button and make sure when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings, change the batteries in your smoke detector.

Smoke Detector Installation Program (Free of Charge)

The Addison Fire Protection District is proud to provide and install smoke detectors (free of charge) to the residents we serve through the BE ALARMED smoke alarm installation program.  The BE ALAMED smoke detector installation program is a collaborative effort between the Addison FPD, the Illinois State Fire Marshal and the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance. Contact the Addison Fire Protection District for more information at (630) 628-3100 weekdays between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm or email admin@addisonfire.org anytime you can also Click Here to learn more about this program.

Already have smoke detectors? We’ll install new smoke detectors that you have already bought. We’ll also come out to make sure already installed smoke detectors work and are installed in the proper locations.

Safety Tips

  • INSTALL smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
  • Larger homes may need ADDITIONAL smoke alarms to provide enough protection.
  • For the best protection, INTERCONNECT all smoke alarms so when one sounds they all sound.
  • An IONIZATION smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a PHOTOELECTRIC smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms (also known as dual sensor alarms) are recommended.
  • Smoke alarms should be INSTALLED away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms. Generally, they should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from a cooking appliance.
  • REPLACE all smoke alarms when they are 10 year sold.
Smoke Alarm Safety Tips

Illinois Smoke Alarm Law Update

In 2017, the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance worked with the General Assembly to pass a law which will require Illinois residents to replace their old smoke alarms with the type that has a long term, 10 year sealed battery beginning January 1, 2023. This would apply to residents that are still using alarms with removable batteries or alarms that are not hardwired.

Click Here Law Information