Fire officials urge Illinois residents to comply with new smoke alarm law

More than 100 people died in residential fires in 2018. Seventy percent of those deaths were in homes without working smoke detectors.

"When those people went to sleep the night before they had no idea that they were never going to wake up again," says Illinois Firefighters Association government affairs director Margaret Vaughn. "Don't let that happen to you or your family tonight."

A new law will go into effect by the end of 2022. Single and multi-family homes that use removable battery smoke detectors are required to install 10-year, non-removable sealed battery devices.

"It's so important today to have a working smoke detector to give you that chance to get out," says Belvidere Fire Department Chief Al Hyser.

The sealed batteries will prevent people from removing them, which causes a hazard in the event of a fire. There is a hush button feature for anyone who disconnects their alarms while cooking. It deactivates the device for 15 minutes before turning back on.

The device costs about $20, which is more expensive than current models. However, fire officials say it will save you money and peace of mind down the road as you don't need to replace batteries.

First Alert is donating smoke alarms to local fire departments. Belvidere received 100.

There are only three minutes, even with the new devices, to escape before toxins and smoke can cause harm. Ten years ago there were 30 minutes.

"A generation ago the materials and how our homes were built didn't have as much synthetic materials in them," says Hyser. "Today that's not the case, that's why fires burn faster and hotter."

Although the change is not mandated until the end of 2022, officials say to comply now for safety.

"The purpose of that phase in is so we can come out to events like today and educate the public," says Vaughn. "Once you're educated there is no reason not to comply."