Lake County Gazette

The Buffalo Grove Fire Department recently undertook a significant initiative in Illinois, installing 539 smoke detectors in senior housing units from October 22 to 24. This effort aimed to address the lack of fire protection in approximately 50% of the units due to issues such as bad batteries, old batteries, or the absence of detectors.

"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 Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Collins in a Village of Buffalo Grove news release. Collins said that this combined effort significantly decreased the likelihood of a fatal fire at this housing facility.

According to the news release, the village's fire department was among 48 participating departments in Illinois that received donations of 10-year, sealed battery smoke detectors from the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and Camp I Am Me. The alliance expanded its program in 2024 after securing grant funding during the summer.

Buffalo Grove firefighters and paramedics were joined by volunteers from the village's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to install smoke detectors in 208 senior housing units within Buffalo Grove's Cambridge on the Lake neighborhood. The new devices replaced older models dating back to 1993.

The news release highlighted that nearly 60% of home fire deaths occurred in homes without smoke detectors or with non-functioning ones. The fire department advises residents to replace any smoke alarm over ten years old with models featuring a 10-year lithium-ion battery. Smoke detectors should be installed in every bedroom, outside all sleeping areas, and on every level of the home, including basements. They should also be tested monthly.

Illinois updated its smoke alarm law effective January 1, 2023, requiring residents using alarms with removable batteries or not hardwired alarms to replace them with models featuring long-term, 10-year sealed batteries. More information is available at bit.ly/ILsmokealarmlaw.