Smoke Alarms-Meet Community Outreach
Launch the media gallery 1 playerLast year in Illinois, there were over 100 residential fire deaths. Many are surprised to learn that over 70 percent of those deaths occurred in homes without working smoke alarms. Many of the smoke alarms did not work because the batteries were removed or not working.
As a result, a new Illinois law goes into effect on January 1, 2023 requiring residences without hard-wired smoke alarms, to install a new style alarm that has a permanently installed battery that can't be removed and, lasts for 10 years.
KACC Fire-Rescue-EMR students have been studying the law as well as the problems encountered with older smoke alarms. Students recently assisted the Manteno Fire Department, the American Red Cross, and Kankakee County Emergency Management Agency in getting the word out about the new smoke alarms.
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Launch the media gallery 3 playerAlthough there is still plenty of time before the law takes effect, students canvased both the Maple Valley and Maple Crest subdivisions in Manteno. Students walked door-to-door, distributing written information and speaking to residents to inquire if they wanted the new style of smoke alarm. Those who want the new smoke alarm will have them installed free of charge!
Now that's great community outreach.