Mount Prospect, IL – The nonprofit Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) is asking Illinois residents to practice fire safety and prevention by “looking up” and checking their smoke alarms during national Fire Prevention Week (FPW) occurring from October 9 – 15.
The theme for 2016 FPW is “Don’t Wait, Check The Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.” According to the National Fire Protection Association, which sponsors FPW, only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are, or how often they need to be replaced. The campaign encourages residents to find the “date of manufacture” on each smoke alarm and make sure they replace each smoke alarm 10 years from its respective date to ensure proper operation in the event of a fire. Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a fire by half.
“In addition to replacing any smoke alarms older than 10 years old, it is also important to test the others in the house once a month. Make sure one is installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of a home,” says IFSA Executive Director Philip Zaleski.
A few weeks after FPW, when residents change their clocks to “fall back” an hour at the end of Daylight Saving Time on November 6 serves as a reminder for residents to change smoke alarm batteries. The same should be done when clocks “spring forward” an hour in the spring.
For information about smoke alarms and FPW, the IFSA recommends visiting FirePreventionWeek.org.
Fire Prevention Week Luncheon & Awards
The IFSA will host the 76th annual Fire Prevention Week Luncheon on Thursday, October 13, from 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Illinois Fire Sprinkler Coalition and will be held at Bobak’s Signature Events (6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodridge, Ill.). More than 500 members of the Illinois fire service are expected to be in attendance.
In addition to the luncheon, the event honors those who have gone above and beyond in fire safety and burn prevention. The IFSA will present the following recognition awards:
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Corporate Responsibility Award: OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Foundation
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Life Safety Award: Alan Berkowsky (Fire Chief, Winnetka Fire Department), Chicago Fire Department - Division of Public Education, Dennis Krenz (Captain, Cary Fire Protection District), City of Lockport, Micah Montondo (Firefighter/Paramedic, Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District), Joseph Poulson (“Home Fire Preparedness” Lead Volunteer, American Red Cross)
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Wayne Luecht Memorial Award: Representative Donald Moffitt (R-Gilson)
In addition, guest speaker Daniel Madrzykowski, research engineer for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Firefighter Safety Research Institute, will discuss the changes in fire behavior due to construction methods and materials in buildings. The presentation will provide information for both building occupants and firefighters to improve their ability to limit the adverse effects from an unwanted fire.
