As Daylight Saving Time arrives, the Illinois State Fire Marshal is reminding everyone to test and inspect smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Residents are urged to replace any broken or expired devices, a step proven to save lives. Last year, more than 3,200 Illinois homes benefited from the Be Alarmed program, receiving new alarms and vital fire safety information. This initiative continues to boost protection and preparedness throughout the state. Experts say regularly maintained alarms offer early warnings and crucial extra minutes to escape in an emergency. Officials encourage families to use this time to ensure their homes are safer for the year ahead.
Statistics show that homes without functioning alarms account for nearly 60% of fire deaths. If your alarm has expired or is not working, replace it immediately with a 10-year sealed battery model. The “Be Alarmed!” program, a collaboration between Camp I Am Me and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, provided over 3,200 Illinois homes with new alarms in 2025, helping protect thousands of residents. Practicing your family fire escape plan could save your life.
“Working smoke alarms save lives—the key word is working. As you change your clocks this weekend, take a few minutes to test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home, check their expiration dates, and replace any that are broken or more than 10 years old,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow. “A functioning smoke alarm gives you and your family the early warning needed to escape safely in the event of a fire. While you’re at it, take some time to review and practice your family’s fire escape plan.”
“Ensuring your smoke alarms are properly working as well as less than 10-years old can help prevent a tragedy from occurring in the home. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting burn survivors, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating residential fires can be, too often when a smoke alarm wasn’t working or present. That simple check can save lives,” said Philip Zaleski, Executive Director of Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance.
For more information on the “Be Alarmed!” program, visit https://www.ifsa.org/