PERU – Pretty soon Illinoisans will be required to upgrade their smoke detectors. On Thursday morning at the Peru Fire Station, LaSalle and Peru fire chiefs, LaSalle County Health Department, Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and State Representative Lance Yednock gave more details on the law taking effect in 2023, which requires residents to replace their old smoke detectors with ones that have a 10-year sealed battery. Peru Fire Chief Jeff King says, the majority of residential fire-related deaths are caused by smoke inhalation and not burns, which is why escape time is critical. Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Director Phil Zaleski says the long term battery alarm requires no replacement, saving the average homeowner up to $60 in battery costs over the life of the alarm. The current cost for the new alarms is $20.00.
