Illinois implemented a new smoke alarm law to help reduce the number of home fire deaths and burn injuries. Installing functional smoke detectors in each area of your home is the best method to protect against death and other injuries. If you haven’t checked your smoke detector batteries in a while, now would be a good time to do it. The Chicago burn injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe explain the new Illinois smoke detector law and what residents need to do to keep smoke detectors up-to-date, as well as offer some fire and burn injury safety tips.
New Illinois Smoke Detector Law Explained
Starting on January 1, 2023, the Illinois Smoke Detector Act went into effect. The new law requires residents to replace all smoke detectors with removable batteries with a new model that contains a battery that lasts 10 years. The new smoke detectors must contain a “sealed, self-contained, non-removable, long-term battery.”
There are a few exceptions to the law, including the following.
- Smoke alarms connected via Wi-Fi, radio, or are hardwired into a building’s electrical system.
- Existing smoke alarms are permitted as long as they are less than 10 years old.
- Any residence built after 1988 with a hardwired smoke alarm system is exempt.
Officials won’t be going door to door to enforce the ordinance. Homeowners caught with an outdated alarm must replace it within 90-days, or they may be subject to a fine of up to $100. The Illinois smoke detector law will serve as a reminder to homeowners to inspect their current smoke alarms and keep them current.
Often, smoke alarms will sound when cooking or blowing out candles, which are not always fire emergencies. Sometimes, individuals will remove the batteries to prevent this. While this will stop the alarm, it is all too easy to forget to put them back in, which can lead to potentially catastrophic injuries, property damage, or even wrongful death due to fires or burn injuries. The sealed battery prohibits their removal, and, in turn, aims to prevent fires and burn injuries.
For even more fire safety tips, check out this guide from the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance.
What Causes Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries are often the result of car accidents or motorcycle accidents, but are also common around the house due to a variety of mishaps. It is easy to avoid these by regular home maintenance. Still, it is easy to overlook certain tasks that can cause burn injuries. Common causes of burn injuries include:
- Electrical fires
- Cooking accidents
- Candles
- Flammable materials
- Space heaters
- Dryers clogged with lint
- Grills
- Chemicals
- Defective products
- Worn electrical cords
- Poorly maintained outlets
- Steam and hot liquids
Depending on the underlying cause, burns may range from mild to severe. Most people are aware of the difference between first, second, and third degree burns. Fourth degree burns, which have the potential to be fatal, are possible in the event of a severe accident or other catastrophic injury. After suffering a burn injury, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Fire and burn injuries obviously go hand-in-hand. Preventing house fires is the key to preventing burn injuries. Here are a few tips to keep your home safe from potentially deadly fires and burn injuries:
- Avoid leaving the stove or grill unattended
- Do not leave lit candles unattended or stop using them all together
- Turn off space heaters when not in use and keep the temperature at a moderate level
- Do not plug in worn electronics with worn or frayed cords
- Avoid overloading outlets
- Pay extra attention to pets and children when cooking and using open flames
- Be mindful of the dangers of steam and hot liquids
- Keep your dryer trap and hose clean and free of lint
No matter what caused your burn injury, if the negligence of another person or a dangerous product was the culprit, contact our Chicago personal injury attorneys right away.
Contact the Burn Injury Attorneys at Lerner and Rowe
Lerner and Rowe hope all Illinois residents will update their smoke alarm in adherence with Illinois smoke detector law. By following the new smoke alarm law and using the tips mentioned above, you can keep yourself and your family safe from burn injuries.
Sadly, some fires are started by hazardous materials or negligence on the part of another person. In these situations, our group of compassionate and skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the highest settlement possible for your injuries. Our team will do the hard work for you so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
We’ve helped over 120,000 injured victims secure maximum recovery for their injuries. To get started on your case today, schedule a free consultation with a Chicago burn injury lawyer. We are available to service clients 24/7. Call us at 708-222-2222. Or, if you prefer, we have an online form you can use or you can utilize our LiveChat.