Orland Park, IL (May 14, 2020) – According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a home fire can become deadly in as little as two minutes. That is largely due to the fact that today’s common synthetic furnishings burn hotter and faster and produce deadly toxic smoke when compared with the natural-material furnishings of decades ago. Although the number of home fires has come down over the years, residents are more likely to die if they have a home fire today than they were in 1980.
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly evident through news coverage that stay-at-home mandates are in direct correlation with an increase in home cooking fires. This emphasizes the importance of the need to educate about fire safety, including fire sprinklers in new homes. Home fire sprinklers can help eliminate these unneeded tragedies.
The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB), along with other members of the Illinois Fire Sprinkler Coalition, will virtually spread the word about the lifesaving benefits of home fire sprinklers during Home Fire Sprinkler Week, May 17 – 23. The North American-wide virtual campaign is a project of the NFPA Fire Sprinkler Initiative and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC).
Throughout the week, fire departments and fire safety groups across the U.S. will access digital content at the Home Fire Sprinkler Week website and encourage their audiences to read and share daily home fire safety messaging. They will be posting home fire sprinkler videos, graphics and other information on their websites, through social media and via local news outlets.
According to Erik Hoffer, executive director, NIFSAB, home fire sprinklers have been in national model codes since 2009. More than 110 towns and fire districts in Illinois require home fire sprinklers installed in all new construction.
“During the week, we recognize elected officials, fire chiefs and members of the fire service who played a role in requiring fire sprinklers in new homes,” Hoffer said. “We want the public to understand how home fire sprinklers work and why they are vital in protecting residents and first responders. We hope to someday see a day when every new home built in Illinois and nationwide is protected with home fire sprinklers.”
For a list of Illinois towns and fire districts protected with home fire sprinklers visit: https://homelifesafety.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/NIFSAB-13D-Ordinance-Towns-B.pdf
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