More than 77 million smoke alarms in America are outdated. That's 1 in 3! Fire safety experts strongly recommend that, to ensure safety, you replace your smoke alarms before they are 10 years old.  

Using quick response sprinklers and approved piping, homes can be built or even remodeled to include low-cost automatic sprinkler systems connected to the domestic water supply.

Sprinkler systems offer advantages to the homebuilder:

When used properly, a portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by extinguishing a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives.

Although fire extinguishers are not always sufficient since they are not designed to fight a spreading fire, fire extinguishers can be useful under certain conditions. Fire extinguishers are rated according to the types of fire they are designed to fight:

More and more citizens are realizing the importance of installing quality CO detectors in their residences. While most fire departments will not endorse or recommend a CO detector, it's helpful to have a reliable source of information available when citizens seek our advice. An October 2001 Consumer Reports (CR) magazine contains information that citizens may find useful and can assist fire department officials as they answer citizen inquiries.

When holidays approach, everyone looks forward to special gatherings and celebrations with friends and loved ones. Homes will be decorated to enhance the atmosphere of the holidays, but it is important to keep in mind that while holiday decorations can be joyful, they can also be dangerous if improperly used, especially for children. Every year thousands of needless injuries and deaths are caused by decorations.

With the Fourth of July fast approaching this is a reminder that in Illinois, all fireworks are illegal unless authorized by local jurisdiction permits for supervised public displays. The term fireworks does not include sparklers, smoke devices, snake and glow worm pellets, trick noisemaker, and most forms of toy optols using plastic or paper caps. Even these seemingly harmless devices can be dangerous, misuse of them by children can create dangerous situations.

Don't be fooled by microwave ovens. They work quickly and do not give out heat you can feel. But scald burns resulting from splattering foods from the microwave are a common hazard.

Preschoolers like to push the buttons and hear the beeping sound made by some microwave ovens. They must be taught to avoid microwaves as they would any other potentially harmful appliance.

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Congratulations to Mathurshan Vimalesvaran from Warren Township High School for his winning video "Crossfire."

Video: 

"Crossfire" produced by Mathurshan Vimalesvaran