Spring Forward: Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Deputy State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey is reminding people to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when clocks change this Sunday, March 8.

“We have had 12 fire deaths so far in 2015, and the one common thread between many of them is the lack of working smoke alarms,” Fire Marshal Ostroskey said in a news release.

Check on Elderly Relatives and Neighbors Too

“Please take a moment to make sure your own alarms are working, and then check on the ones in the home of a parent, grandparent or older neighbor,” the fire marshal said. “This winter has been brutal and half of the 12 people who have died in fires so far in 2015 were over the age of 65; in 2014, seniors accounted for 53 percent of the fire deaths.

Replace Aging Alarms

“While you’re changing the batteries, take a minute to check on the age of the alarm too,” said Ostroskey. “The sensing technology wears out eventually and smoke alarms need to be replaced every ten years,” he added. Carbon monoxide alarms typically last 5-7 years unless they have a ten-year lithium battery. Ostroskey said, “An out-of-date alarm cannot be counted on to provide the needed early warning of danger.”

For more information on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, or senior fire safety, visit www.mass.gov/dfs.