This year, the Illinois Smoke Detector Act went into effect. It is a way to lower the number of house fires and burn injuries. The Act requires residents who meet specific criteria to update the smoke detectors in their homes. So, if you live in Illinois and haven’t updated your smoke detectors, now is the time to follow the new law and help prevent a winter house fire. In this blog, the Quad Cities burn injury attorneys at Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham Law explain what homeowners should do to keep their smoke detectors up to date and provide some helpful information to prevent burn injuries for those who might have questions regarding the 2023 Illinois fire safety law.
2023 Illinois Fire Safety Law Overview
The Illinois Smoke Detector Law requires residents to replace eligible smoke detector batteries in their home with non-removable batteries that last 10 years. Certain smoke detectors are exempt from the law, including those that are hardwired into a building’s electrical system, linked through Wi-Fi, or radio. Homes with hardwired smoke detectors built after 1988 are also exempt.
According to the law, eligible smoke detectors must have a “sealed, self-contained, non-removable, long-term battery.” If a homeowner is found to have an outdated alarm, they must update it within 90 days or face a fine of up to $100.
It is essential to check your smoke detector batteries regularly. This new legislation serves as a reminder to do just that and to make the proper changes. Visit the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance website for additional information regarding the 2023 Illinois Smoke Detector Law, or contact your local fire department.
Preventing Burn Injuries at Home
Burn injuries in the home are largely preventable, unlike those caused by car accidents or dangerous products. Having working smoke detectors in each room of your home is the key to preventing burns, devastating house fires, and possibly a catastrophic injury. All of which can be avoided by maintaining your smoke detectors and being aware of possible fire hazards in the home. Burn injuries at home often result from:
- Cooking accidents
- Grilling accidents
- Electrical fires
- Candles
- Space heaters
- Clogged dryer vents
- Fireworks
- Flammable materials and liquids
- Steam
- Hot liquids
- Poorly maintained electrical appliances and outlets
- Hot Batteries
- Matches and lighters
Any of the above factors can cause burn injuries ranging from mild to potentially deadly fourth-degree burns. According to Johns Hopkins, there are four types of burns that can result from accidents occurring at home, work, or on the road. Types of burns include:
- Thermal burns: are caused by heat sources that increase the temperature of the skin and tissues, which results in cell death or charring in the tissues. Thermal burns may be caused by hot objects such as metals, scalding liquids, steam, and flames coming into contact with the skin.
- Electrical burns: are caused by both alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC).
- Chemical burns: are caused by strong acids, alkalies, detergents, or solvents that come into contact with the skin or eyes
- Radiation burns: are caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays or to other radiation sources, such as X-rays which are more likely to occur during a workplace accident than at home.
If you’ve suffered any burn injury due to the negligence of another party, contact our Quad City personal injury attorneys for a free case consultation.
Suffered a Burn Injury? Contact WKC Law
Following the 2023 Illinois fire safety law and updating to the required smoke detector battery is the best way to prevent burn injuries and fires at home. If you haven’t updated your smoke detector, now is the time! Even when you follow burn safety guidelines, the negligent actions of others can result in fires and burn injuries. Our sympathetic and knowledgeable team of attorneys can help you win compensation for your injuries.
The personal injury attorneys at Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham Law have over 120 years of combined legal experience serving clients in the Quad Cities, including Rock Island, Davenport, Henry, Mercer, Whiteside, and Knox counties in Illinois or Scott, Clinton, Muscatine, Cedar, and Jackson counties in Iowa. When you hire one of our attorneys, you can be sure they will fight for you. Get started right now by scheduling a free case consultation. Reach us 24/7 by phone at (309) 794-1515, via LiveChat, or by filling out our contact form.