NY State To Require Smoke Detectors With 10-Year Batteries
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- By 2017, every smoke detector sold in New York state will be required to have 10-year, nonremovable batteries.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a measure into law Monday mandating the change.
States including California and Maryland already have similar requirements.
When the new law takes effect in New York, the state will prohibit the sale of any alarm that requires traditional replaceable batteries. The rule is intended to reduce tampering and ensure detectors continue to work without the need for a homeowner or business to change the batteries, which is recommended to be done twice a year.
Sponsors say smoke detectors are proven lifesavers, noting that fire deaths have been cut in half since the state first required smoke alarms in homes starting in 1961.
According to manufacturers, the mandate will save consumers money by negating the need to purchase new batteries. After 10 years, a new alarm will need to be purchased.
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