Suburban Scouts launch fire prevention effort

Boy Scouts will be distributing door hangers throughout the suburbs in October as part of a campaign to prevent fires and spare lives.

About 120,000 scouts from several councils in Northern Illinois will participate in the effort, which begins with Fire Safety Week from Oct. 3 through 9. Participating scouts will earn fire safety badges.

The door hangers tell the importance of having a fire escape plan, checking smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors monthly and replacing their batteries annually. The information, written in English and Spanish, also details the importance of a fire safety checklist for the home.

Fire prevention companies and firefighting have joined the project.