'Fire Department Needs Help': Tinley Fire Prevention Week

TINLEY PARK, IL — The Village of Tinley Park has adopted a resolution for Fire Prevention Week, to remind residents to be cautious and prepared when it comes to flames.

Beginning Oct. 3 and running through Oct. 9 in Tinley Park, Fire Prevention Week will take place. During the week, residents are encouraged to participate by doing their share of helping eliminate fire hazards which cause the loss of life, property and resources. Fire Prevention Week is always scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

The resolution was adopted at the Sept. 21 Board of Trustees meeting. At this meeting, Tinley Park Interim Fire Chief Steve Klotz spoke to the board about Fire Prevention Week. Klotz said that this year in Tinley Park alone, there were 24 fires in homes, with an estimated loss exceeding $1.6 million. Although there have been no injuries or deaths due to fires in Tinley Park this year, nationwide there has been around 3,000 deaths caused by flames, according to Klotz.

"The fire department needs everybody's help," Klotz said. "We need everyone to check their smoke detectors, as we've always preached, time and time again, you must make sure they work. There's a 10-year life expectancy, smoke detectors should be replaced after 10 years, you should test detectors monthly."

He went on to say that residents should make sure everybody in their house knows a way out. Klotz said if one entrance is blocked off, make sure everyone in the home is aware of this. He also said dryers and discarding of smoking materials improperly are also the cause of many fires, and to be more cautious.

"By taking these basic steps, you're automatically going to make your house more fire safety," Klotz said. "If there's ever any questions, call 444-5200. We will get you an answer if anybody needs any assistance with location of smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors."

See Klotz's speech on YouTube here, or below: