Illinois Community Risk Reduction

Due to the current arctic blast, warming centers are open across the state. Visit the link below for locations and hours. You can also contact local community organizations for additional warming resources.

Portable heaters or space heaters are used by many during the winter months to help keep warm from the persistent frigid temperatures. While portable space heaters do help to generate heat, OSFM wants residents to be aware of the increase risk of fire caused by these heaters. 

In 2024, Illinois fire departments responded to 9,860 carbon monoxide (CO) related calls across the state. According to the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association, emergency rooms across the U.S. see more than 100,000 visits each year due to CO exposure. Tragically, over 14,000 people are hospitalized annually, and approximately 1,200 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, a number that continues to rise. Each year, hundreds of people across Illinois are treated in emergency rooms due to carbon monoxide (CO) exposure, and over the past decade, an average of 20 people per year have died from accidental CO poisoning.

CRR Week (January 19-25, 2026) is a grassroots effort led by an informal group of fire safety professionals from across the nation. The goal of the week is to promote awareness of Community Risk Reduction (CRR) within the fire service by encouraging agencies to conduct CRR programs and demonstrate the value and impact of these efforts.

Illinois CRR is excited to participate in CRR Week. We encourage fire departments, organizations, and partners across the state to get involved. Click the link below to learn more about CRR Week and access resources to help you plan and implement CRR activities in your community.

Fire Prevention & Life Safety Award This award is in recognition of the extraordinary efforts performed by individuals in furtherance of fire prevention and life safety.

If you know someone who is deserving of this award, click the link below and nominate them today! Deadline for nominations is March 1.