Crime & Safety
Illinois Fire Officials Warn: 70% of Replaced Smoke Alarms Failed
Moline, IL – Illinois fire officials are urging homeowners to check their smoke alarms as colder weather approaches, highlighting a statewide program that provides free smoke alarm installations to el
By Erin Vale · 2026-10-30T11:20:08.997Z
Moline, IL – Illinois fire officials are urging homeowners to check their smoke alarms as colder weather approaches, highlighting a statewide program that provides free smoke alarm installations to eligible households.
According to the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal, state and local fire safety officials gathered at the Moline Fire Department to promote the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program and emphasize the importance of working alarms in preventing fire related deaths.
More Than 70% of Replaced Alarms Were Not Working
Program data collected since 2018 shows that more than 70% of smoke alarms being replaced in participating homes were nonfunctional.
Officials attributed the failures to missing batteries, dead batteries or alarms exceeding their recommended 10 year lifespan.
The National Fire Protection Association reports that working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by approximately 60%.
Free Smoke Alarm Installations Available
The Be Alarmed! program provides 10 year sealed battery smoke alarms and fire safety education through participating Illinois fire departments.
Nearly 60,000 alarms, representing approximately $1.5 million in equipment, have been distributed through partnerships involving about 400 Illinois fire departments.
The Moline Fire Department alone has installed more than 900 alarms in 221 households since joining the program.
During the 2025 statewide installation campaign, firefighters installed 1,320 alarms in 465 homes and educated 1,084 residents about fire safety.
Fire Officials Urge Residents to Act
Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow emphasized that working alarms provide critical time to escape a home fire.
"When a fire starts, every second matters," Pankow said.
Officials recommend installing alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home.
Residents should test alarms monthly and replace units that are damaged, malfunctioning or at least 10 years old.
Illinois residents interested in free smoke alarm assistance can contact their local participating fire department or visit www.ifsa.org/alarms for program information.