OSFM and Fire Service Partners Offer Safety Activities to Educate Fairgoers During the Illinois State Fair

Springfield, Ill- The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has several activities planned throughout the 2026 Illinois State Fair, bringing together partners and organizations to promote fire prevention and safety. Visitors will have opportunities to learn about important fire safety topics, including the growing importance of lithium-ion battery safety, and discover simple steps they can take to help protect themselves, their families and their communities.

The OSFM's Fire Safety Tent is located on the corner of Main and Central Avenue, and will feature games, prizes, popcorn, a variety of exhibits, and fire safety activities for all ages. The fire safety tent is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Fire personnel from different organizations and agencies will be on hand to answer any questions. Keith "Doc" Patterson will be present with a puppet show spreading the fire safety and prevention message. Stop by the tent to find out about show times.

New this year, The National Waste & Recycling Association will be on hand with their battery safety trailer and Woodsy the Owl raising awareness about battery safety Friday, August 14th and Saturday, August 15th. The National Waste & Recycling Foundation's "Skip the Bin! Turn Your Batteries In!" PSA campaign, featuring Woodsy Owl in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, educates the public about the fire risks of improperly disposing of household batteries, especially lithium-ion batteries. The campaign encourages people to keep batteries out of trash and recycling bins by using safe handling practices and locating convenient battery drop-off sites to help protect workers, facilities, fire fighters, and communities.

The OSFM will also be partnering with the National Waste & Recycling Association and The Battery Network to host a battery recycling event on Friday, August 21st from 10 AM to 6 PM in the Shed on the fairgrounds. Fairgoers and vendors are encouraged to bring their used batteries and turn them in at the event. Visitors will also be provided with other important battery safety information.

Featured Organizations:

• Friday, August 14th - Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts
• Saturday, August 15th - Illinois Professional Firefighters Association
• Sunday, August 16th - Illinois Fire Inspectors
• Monday, August 17th - Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS)
• Tuesday, August 18th - Chicago Fire Department
• Wednesday, August 19th - Illinois Community Risk Reduction
• Thursday, August 20th - Illinois Fire Service Institute & Illinois Society of Fire Service Instructors
• Friday, August 21st - Camp I Am Me
• Saturday, August 22nd - Illinois Firefighters Association
• Sunday, August 23rd - Illinois Fire Chiefs Association & Northern Illinois Alliance of Fire Protection Districts

The Illinois Fire Museum will remain closed this year due to an ongoing renovation project. Please visit our website sfm.illinois.gov to for updates and expected re-opening of the museum.