The Wheeling Fire Department is marking National Fire Prevention Week by focusing on a key element of fire prevention – smoke alarms.

WFD is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), who officially sponsors Fire Prevention Week to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” The campaign aims to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.

According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54%). Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. 

WFD’s Bureau of Fire Prevention offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines: 

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home. 
• Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old. 

 As part of the week’s educational campaign, WFD will have informational tables set up from 10 a.m. to Noon on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the Warwood Kroger, Mount de Chantal Kroger from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, and Elm Grove Riesbeck’s from 10 a.m. to Noon on Friday, Oct. 11.

The week will conclude with the Fire Safety House at the South Wheeling Lowes on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

National Fire Prevention Week – now in its 102^nd year – was established to commemorate the “Great Chicago Fire” of Oct. 8-10, 1871, which killed roughly 300 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres.

WFD also reminds everyone to change the batteries in their smoke alarms twice a year – most notably on the ‘Fall Back’ and ‘Spring Forward’ clock changes. This year’s ‘Fall Back’ date is Sunday, Nov. 3.