Illinois Fire Marshal Urges Residents to Test Smoke Alarms as Daylight Saving Time Begins
Illinois fire officials are urging residents to test and replace smoke and carbon monoxide alarms during the Daylight Saving Time clock change.
A Seasonal Reminder That Could Save Lives
As clocks move forward for Daylight Saving Time at 2 am on Sunday, March 8, the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal is urging residents across Illinois to take a simple step that could save lives: test their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
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Officials say the twice-a-year clock change serves as an important reminder for famalies to check life-saving devices in their homes. During the process, residents should test each alarm, confirm it works properly, and check expiration dates.
Any broken or outdated alarms should be replaced immediately with newer 10-year sealed battery models. Illinois State Fire Marshal Michel Pankow emphasized that the most critical factor is whether alarms function properly when needed most.
Fire Data Shows the Risk of Missing Alarms
National data highlights the danger of failing smoke alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 59 percent of home fire deaths in the United States occur in homes where smoke alarms are missing or fail to operate.
More than 43 percent of fatal home fires happen in homes without any smoke alarms installed, while homes equipped with working alarms have a death rate about 60 percent lower than those without them.
State Program Finds Many Alarms Are Expired
Data from Illinois' Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program reveals a concerning trend. In 2025, 68 percent of smoke alarms inspected in homes were either expired or non-functional before being replaced through the program.
The initiative, run in partnership with Camp I Am Me, installed thousands of alarms last year, protecting over 3,200 homes and nearly 7,800 residents statewide.
Since launching in 2018, the program has distributed nearly 50,000 smoke alarms, valued at about $1.5 million, to Illinois fire departments.
Fire Officials Urge Famalies to Practice Escape Plans
Fire safety experts say testing alarms should be paired with another critical step, reviewing and practicing a family fire escape plan. Regular drills help ensure everyone in the household knows how to respond quickly if an alarm sounds.
For information about the Be Alarmed! smoke alarm program, residents can CLICK HERE to visit the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance website.
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