Collins Highlights Fire Prevention Safety Week, Encourages Residents to Check Smoke Alarms

CHICAGO –  To ensure residents are prepared for a fire emergency, state Rep. Lakesia Collins, D-Chicago, is encouraging residents to take part in Fire Prevention Safety Week.

“Unfortunately, you can never predict when a disaster will strike, but you can always prepare for worst case scenarios,” said Collins. “Fire Prevention Safety Week designates a time for us to focus on our fire safety plans and ensure we are ready for anything.”

Oct. 3 to 9 is proclaimed Fire Prevention Week in Illinois to encourage residents to learn the sounds of fire safety and make sure they have working smoke alarms in their home. To learn the sounds of your specific smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check the manufacturer’s instructions that came in the box, or search the brand and model online.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends these tips to keep in mind to “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety:”

• A continuous set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
• A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
• All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.
• Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.
• Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit www.fpw.org.

“Fire alarms save lives, especially as construction materials for homes change and can lead to fires spreading faster,” continued Collins. “You can never be too safe or prepared for an emergency, so I highly encourage all residents to check their fire alarms.”