Operation Save A Life

CHICAGO (WLS) -- ABC 7 Chicago and the Chicago Fire Department are proud to once again present "Operation

Save-A-Life - Change Your Clock Change Your Smoke Detector Batteries," a public awareness campaign targeting fire safety and prevention.

Fire fatalities are often preventable through education and the use of smoke

alarms and basic fire prevention tips. The message that "Simple Steps Can Help

Save Lives" will be the focal point when ABC 7's Operation-Save-A-Life campaign

kicks off its 11th year.

Once again, the campaign will underscore the importance of remembering to

change smoke alarm batteries. Missing or non-functional batteries are to blame

for a great majority of home fire fatalities.

Here are some of the "Simple Steps Can Help Save Lives" tips that will be

reinforced during the Operation Save-A-Life campaign:

1. Change smoke alarm batteries every six months

2. Install a working carbon monoxide detector outside each bedroom in your
home

3. Teach your children about fire safety

4. Learn CPR

Fire Facts:

--In 2013 there were a total of 16 fire fatalities, the lowest annual total ever

recorded in the city.*

--Smoke detectors are in 92% of American homes, but nearly one-third don't work

because of missing or old batteries.**

--Almost all fire deaths in Chicago occur in buildings where there are no

working smoke detectors. Detectors with run-down or missing batteries are

worthless.*

* Provided by the Chicago Fire Department.

**Provided by the National Fire Protection Association.