Carpentersville Fire Leads to Unexpected Prevention Effort - Free Smoke Detectors
A house fire in Carpentersville on Sunday, March 30, 2025, claimed the lives of three young children. The fire began on the lower level of the home, and the cause remains under investigation.
Shortly after news of the fire broke, during a kids' Kane County preparedness class, Kane County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Preparedness Specialist Beth Drendel spoke with a young participant who lived in the same neighborhood. The child mentioned that her home’s smoke detectors didn’t work. Her mother confirmed they were broken. Drendel immediately provided new smoke detectors from an OEM preparedness kit, ensuring the family had working detectors. She also coordinated with the Carpentersville Fire Chief, who offered assistance with installation.
Emergencies can happen at any time. To help families prepare, OEM offers free emergency preparedness classes for both kids and adults. These sessions cover essential topics such as building an emergency kit, first-aid basics, and evacuation planning. Designed to be engaging and age-appropriate, kids’ classes help children feel more confident during uncertain situations.
The two-hour class is available for different age groups. For more information, contact Beth Drendel, Emergency Management Specialist, at 630-232-5985 or DrendelBeth@KaneCountyIL.gov.
If you or someone you know needs a smoke detector, the American Red Cross offers a program that provides them for free. [CLICK HERE for more information.] The following communtiies also have a program to provide residents with a smoke detector free of charge.
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Aurora – Rebuilding Together Aurora
1 E. Benton St., Aurora
📞 630-801-9044
Batavia Fire Department
800 E. Wilson, Batavia
📞 630-406-9993
Burlington Fire Department
154 S. Burlington Rd., Burlington
📞 847-683-2199
Carpentersville Fire Department
213 Spring St., Carpentersville
📞 224-293-1803
Elburn Fire Department
200 IL-38, Elburn
Fire Marshall 📞 630-365-6855
Elgin Fire Department
550 Summit St., Elgin
📞 847-931-6178 ext. 6190
East Dundee Fire Department
401 Dundee, East Dundee
📞 847-426-7521
Hampshire Fire Department
202 Washington Ave., Hampshire
Contact: Jenny Misner
📞 847-683-2629
Pingree Grove Fire Protection District
39W160 Plank Rd., Pingree Grove
📞 847-741-3151
St. Charles Fire Department – For Seniors
112 N. Riverside, St. Charles
📞 630-377-4458
South Elgin Countryside Fire Protection District
1090 W. Spring St., South Elgin
📞 847-741-2141
Sugar Grove Fire Department
25 Municipal Dr., Sugar Grove
📞 630-466-4513
Maintain Your Smoke Alarms to Help Ensure They Are Functioning Properly
The NFPA recommends testing your smoke alarms at least once a month to ensure they are working and replace the batteries every 6 months or if a low battery chirp occurs. When replacing batteries, follow the user manual which includes a full list of approved batteries for your alarm. Smoke alarms should also be replaced at least every 10 years. Fire alarms with a 10-year sealed battery should be replaced after 10 years and when the end-of-life warning occurs
Placement of Smoke Alarms is Important
Mount smoke alarms in the middle of the ceiling when ceiling mounted. If that is not possible, mount detectors on the wall at least three feet away from a corner and within 12 inches from the ceiling. Keep smoke alarms away from drafts created by fans or air ducts. The moving air can blow smoke away from the sensor on the alarm. Avoid placing fire alarms too close to the kitchen stove and bathroom shower, as cooking smoke and shower steam can cause nuisance alarms. If you do install a smoke alarm in the kitchen, ensure it is at least 10 feet away from any cooking appliances to help avoid false alarms.
