March 8, 2026 – The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal is reminding residents to test and inspect smoke and carbon monoxide alarms now that Daylight Saving Time has begun.
Clocks moved forward Sunday and officials say the time change serves as a reminder for households to check safety devices in their homes.
The office says residents should ensure alarms are functioning properly and to replace any units that are broken or more than 10 years old. Officials recommend replacing older units with 10-year sealed battery alarms and reviewing household fire escape plans with family members.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 59% of home fire deaths in the United States occur in homes without smoke alarms or where alarms failed to operate. Homes with working smoke alarms have a death rate about 60% lower than homes without functioning alarms.
Data from the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program shows that 68% of pre-existing alarms in homes receiving replacements in 2025 were either expired or not working.
The program, a partnership between the Illinois fire marshal’s office and Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, has helped distribute nearly 50,000 smoke alarms to Illinois fire departments since 2018.
