New Smoke Detector Law Goes Into Effect In New York State
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) – A new smoke detector law takes effect today in New York State.
The smoke alarm law bans the sale of detectors with removal batteries anywhere in the state. All new or replacement smoke detectors sold in the state must either be powered by a non-removable battery good for at least 10 years or be made to be hard-wired to buildings.
When the smoke alarm just won't stop going off, it used to be simple to dismantle it and easy for homeowners to repurpose the batteries.
"If I need a battery for the remove for the TV, I'm going to take it from the smoke detector. If I need a battery for a toy for my child, I'm goin gto take it out of the smoke detector. If the alarm keeps going off when I'm cooking, I'm going to take the battery out, and then they don't put it back in," said firefighter Tom McDonough, explaining what contributes to fatal fires.
McDonough is a board member for the Fireman's Association of the State of New York. He's fought for the ban of smoke alams with removable batteries for years. Today, that ban became law.
The goal of the new law is to bring the number of fire deaths down: Year after year, New York sees the most in the nation.
"I think it's a good law... in the old law you had to change the batteries and people were always forgetting. In this one, it lasts for ten years. You put it up there and you gust forget about it," said Murray Kravitz, owner of Supreme Hardware on the Upper West Side.
Kravitz was prepared for the law to take effect, stocking his shop with the detectors that have the built-in batteries. He told CBS2's Tara Jakeway people come in for new smoke alarm batteries constantly and new alarms every couple of years, so he will be losing out on business long term, even though the new alarms have a higher price tag, around $10 more. For safety's sake, he's OK with the dip he may see in profits.
"I think it's a better thing for the city, because no one ever changes the batteries on their smoke alarms. So you have to really go up there and press the test button, and very few people do it," Kravitz said. "You can't put a price on a life, and 10 year smoke detector is a no-brainer."
At the Manhasset Lakeville Fire Department, the chief told Jakeway that the last two serious fires they responded to were at homes without working smoke alarms.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, many of the fire deaths in the state occur in homes without working smoke alarms. The new law, however, only applies to the sale of smoke alarms, and those that have older models in their homes or businesses will be exempt.
Retailers also will be able to sell remaining residential smoke detectors with removable batteries that were ordered before April 1.
Though the new law does not require you to replace your existing smoke detector, they are recommending that everybody do so.
When looking for a new smoke detector, make sure it says 10 year battery life right on the box.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
