GRANVILLE – As people are set to turn back their clocks on Sunday, Nov. 5, Massachusetts State Fire Marshall Peter J. Ostroskey wants to remind residents this week that they should also check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
“Smoke alarms give us the early warning we need in the event of a fire. Not only do you need smoke alarms, but you need to make sure they are working,” said Ostroskey in a press release that was published on Wednesday from the Department of Fire Services. According to Ostroskey, 17 people died in house fires in 2016 as a result of their residences having no working smoke alarm.
Smoke alarms need to be replaced at least every 10 years. (WNG File Photo)
Ostroskey added that smoke alarms last around 10 years and carbon monoxide alarms typically last five to seven years.
Locally in Western Massachusetts, fire departments are trying to ensure that people in their community are testing their alarms and making sure that the batteries still work, despite some manufacturers saying that batteries last up to 10 years.
“It’s definitely something that should be checked,” said Granville Fire Chief Matt Ripley.
Like other departments in the area, Granville Fire recently partnered with the American Red Cross to host a smoke alarm program for residents in town. The American Red Cross provides free smoke alarms to residents that have an alarm that is 10 years or older, or have a home that was built before 1975.
Ripley reported that they were able to replace old smoke alarms with new ones at five households.
