SOUTHWICK – Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson said he’s seen a recent spike in carbon monoxide calls. During the extreme cold that swept across the area for the last week, Anderson said the department has received at least six carbon monoxide-related calls.
Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson. (WNG File Photo)
While Anderson was unsure if the low temperatures played a factor in those calls, he noted that poor batteries have been the most common cause. Alarms that have batteries seven years old or more is a concern for fire officials.
“We really find that in the seven year range we start to see faulty readings,” said Anderson.
Anderson also added that when there are consistently cold temperatures like last week, people tend to overuse their heating sources which can be a furnace, wood stove, and pellet stove. Using those heating sources could cause the carbon monoxide alarm to go off.
“We want to be extra careful that those (carbon monoxide) detectors are up to code,” said Anderson.
Since March of 2006, carbon monoxide alarms have been required to be in every home in Massachusetts.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Safety, in 2015, fire departments throughout the commonwealth responded to 15,607 carbon monoxide incidents and in 30%, or 4,782 cases, carbon monoxide was confirmed to be the cause.
If anyone has questions or concerns about carbon monoxide alarms, contact the Southwick Fire Department at 413-569-6363.
