By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A new state law that goes into effect Jan. 1 requires all homes to have smoke detectors with a 10-year sealed battery life or a hardwired system.
The Rockford Fire Department and the Illinois Firefighters Association held a news conference on Wednesday to draw attention to the law and urge property owners to make the necessary changes now. The sealed-battery smoke alarms are considered more reliable than previous technology, where 9-volt batteries could run out of power or be removed by owners while cooking who then forget to replace them.
“We do know that smoke alarms save lives, only when they work,” said Matt Knott, Rockford Fire Department division chief. “A working smoke alarm reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by up to 50%.”
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There were 97 residential fire deaths in Illinois in 2021, and nearly 70% of those deaths happened in homes without a working smoke alarm, according to Margaret Vaughn, Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and Illinois Fire Association government affairs director.
Smoke detector laws aren’t new. Since 1988, the Illinois Smoke Detector Act has required all dwellings to have the devices. Home built after 1988 have been required to have hardwired systems, but those built prior to that could use battery-operated alarms. The change represents a change in technology that provides for longer battery life, and the new law will largely apply to homes built before 1988 that will now be required to use the 10-year sealed system.
“I know in Rockford there’s a lot of older homes, so this is going to affect a lot of people,” Vaughn said.
The Rockford Fire Department in partnership with Illinois-based First Alert will provided the alarms to all Rockford homes and assist with installation. Since 2020, 264 such alarms have been installed.
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Rockford Fire Chief Michele Pankow said you are more likely to die in a residential fire today than you were years ago because of the toxic gases emitted from the synthetic materials in modern homes. She said flashover — when every combustable surface ignites — can how happen in three to five minutes as opposed to almost 30 minutes a generation ago.
“Fire burns faster and hotter than we’ve ever seen before.” Knott said.
The 10-year battery smoke alarm doesn’t require battery replacement. At the end of its life cycle the alarm will automatically alert the homeowner to replace it. It should also save the average homeowner $40-$60 in battery costs over the life of each alarm, according to Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Executive Director Philip Zaleski.
“While many people deactivate their older model smoke alarms or remove the batteries while cooking, the 10-year model is not a cooking nuisance and has a 15-minute silencer button,” Zaleski said. “They are also very affordable with the current retail price being about $15 and as low as $10 if you buy them in bulk.”
JC Fultz, the public information officer for the Illinois State Fire Marshal, urged people to inspect their fire alarms today and replace them if necessary.
“If you find a broken or expired alarm, don’t wait: Go today and replace that alarm because you never know when that fire could happen,” Fultz said. “It could happen 10 minutes after that new alarm goes on the wall.
“These simply steps can help reduce the risk of tragedy occurring in our communities.”
Get a smoke detector installed
The Rockford Fire Department is providing smoke alarm kits to all city residents free of charge. Fire personnel will also assist with installation. Call 779-348-7172 to arrange an installation.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.