Local fire departments to hold fire safety demonstrations during Fire Prevention Week
As part of national Fire Prevention Week education initiatives, the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board is working with Chicago area fire departments during September and October to conduct live fire demonstrations at their open house events.
Scheduled for Oct. 4-10, Fire Prevention Week will feature the theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower.” The campaign will focus on simple everyday habits that can help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires and keep homes and communities safe. For a list of events, go to firesprinklerassoc.org/2026/08/fire-prevention-week-2026-2/.
“Charge into Fire Safety” will empower fire officials and community leaders to counteract the growing incidence of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries powering devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters, cellphones and laptops, and electric vehicles. In 2025, there were approximately 2,500 incidents of lithium-ion battery fires reported in the U.S., representing a significant increase in such events over recent years.
Together with working smoke alarms, well-practiced escape plans and battery safety measures, home fire sprinklers can dramatically reduce fires, deaths, injuries and property damage caused by lithium-ion batteries.
During Fire Prevention Week throughout the Chicago region, live side-by-side demonstration of home fires in two similarly furnished rooms — one with a single fire sprinkler and the other without protection — will prove the effectiveness of fire sprinklers. These demonstrations show how quickly a fire can become deadly and the fast, life-saving response of home fire sprinklers.
“Lithium-ion batteries have emerged as the power source of choice for a vast array of devices — from toothbrushes to tools, smartphones to scooters,” said Erik Hoffer, executive director. “But there are significant fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, and everyone needs to be aware of the challenges they present and the range of measures that can mitigate these dangers, including home fire sprinklers.”
Today, nearly 120 Illinois communities have adopted national model codes that include fire sprinklers in all new construction one- and two-family homes and townhouses. Leaders in those communities recognize that fire sprinklers not only help safeguard residents and property, but they also protect the lives of first responders from fire and the associated exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens.
Below is a list of upcoming fire and sprinkler burn demonstrations. Contact the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board or the fire departments for more details.
• Saturday, Sept. 26: Central Stickney Fire Protection District, Naperville Fire Department, Pingree Grove & Countryside Fire Protection District, Pleasantview Fire Protection District, West Dundee Fire Department, and Wheeling Fire Department
• Sunday, Sept. 27: Batavia Fire Department and Mundelein Fire Department
• Thursday, Oct. 1: Chicago Ridge Fire Department
• Friday, Oct. 2: Paul Davis Restoration (Elgin)
• Saturday, Oct. 3: Addison Fire Protection District, Aurora Regional Fire Museum (Aurora Fire Department), Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District, Elk Grove Village Fire Department, Evanston Fire Department, Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Company, Hanover Park Fire Department, Hoffman Estates Fire Department, Homewood Fire Department, Lake Bluff Fire Department, Lemont Fire Protection District, Northbrook Fire Department, Norwood Park Fire Protection District, Oak Park Fire Department, Oswego Fire Protection District, and Palatine Fire Department. And in Indiana, Hobart Fire Department.
• Sunday, Oct. 4: Countryside Fire Protection District, Lake Zurich Fire Department, Lockport Township Fire Protection District, McHenry Township Fire Protection District, and Roberts Park Fire Protection District. And in Indiana, Lakes of the Four Seasons Volunteer Fire Force.
• Monday, Oct. 5: Moraine Valley Community College — Fire Science Program and Western Springs Fire Department
• Wednesday, Oct. 7: Bristol-Kendall Fire Protection District, La Grange Fire Department, Warrenville Fire Protection District, and Westchester Fire Department
• Friday, Oct. 9: Beecher Fire Protection District and Richton Park Fire Department
• Saturday, Oct. 10: Belvidere Fire Department, Broadview Fire Department, Cicero Fire Department, Darien-Woodridge Fire Protection District, East Hazel Crest Fire Department, Hinsdale Fire Department, Lansing Fire Department, Minooka Fire Protection District, Rolling Meadows Fire Department, Romeoville Fire Department, Streamwood Fire Department and Winnetka Fire Department. And in Indiana, Crown Point Fire Department and Hammond Fire Department.
• Sunday, Oct. 11: Crown Point Fire Department, Indiana
• Saturday, Oct. 17: Berwyn Fire Department, Calumet City Fire Department, Forest View Fire Department, and Lynwood Fire Department
• Monday, Oct. 19: Hampshire Fire Protection District
• Saturday, Oct. 24: Bloomingdale Fire Protection District, La Grange Park Fire Department, and Morton Grove Fire Department
• Thursday, Oct. 29: Shambaugh & Son (Aurora)
Fire and sprinkler demonstration updates can be found at firesprinklerassoc.org/2026/08/fire-prevention-week-2026-2/.
The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting progressive legislation, raising public awareness, educating code officials and governmental policymakers by demonstrating the proven performance of fire sprinklers in saving both lives and property.