Every year the Fire District invites the community to come check out our facility and equipment and learn a little more about what our district is about. The district does this in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week each year. Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire, with hopes of boosting fire prevention awareness and safety during this week long campaign. This year’s theme is “Hear the beep where you sleep,” highlighting the importance of working smoke detectors in your sleeping quarters.
What most people don’t know is that a smoke detector per NFPA Code is required not only outside each sleeping area and every level of the home but also in each bedroom. Statistics show that half of all U.S. home fire deaths take place between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am, when people are most likely to be sleeping. Having a working smoke alarm in your home cuts the chance of death from fire in half.
Besides important information about smoke detectors, a main demonstration we plan to show residents will be a full scale bedroom fire. This demonstration will show two identical rooms, both furnished the same, with only one difference; the presence of a residential fire sprinkler. This actual fire demonstration will not only show the effectiveness of residential fire sprinklers but how little time you have to escape a fire before the fire will consume the entire room, another reason why it is important to have working smoke detectors in the home.

Come visit the Prospect Heights firefighters on Saturday, October 10, as we look forward to helping teach you and your family awareness about smoke detectors and fire safety. The event will be held at our main fire station located at 10 E. Camp McDonald Rd. A free hot dog lunch will be served at 1130 AM, and of course the firefighters will have live demonstrates!