By Shoshana Stahl SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – Starting April 1, 2019 a new law regarding smoke detectors in New York will be enforced. The update to the detectors features a ten-year long battery life and a sealed battery. This prevents people from being able to remove batteries and forget to replace them.
Deputy Chief Elton Davis says this was a driving force for passing the new law.
“We can remove that human element and we’ll have protection in these residences continuously,” he said.
Homeowners are not required to replace the smoke detectors they currently have, as long as they are working, but the old ones will no longer be sold in stores.
However, in order for properties to be rented or sold they must replace all the old smoke detectors with new ones. Davis estimates that the new smoke detectors will be sold in stores from around $10-$15. He says this is a higher up front cost than the older models but actually will save you money since the battery does not need to be replaced for a decade.
Davis says that smoke detectors are like an added form of insurance in the house, warning people when there is a fire so they have time to get out.
“That this is a vital part of the home that will add to the safety of you and everybody that lives in the home but we have to turn it into common sense,” he said.
(ANC)
Starting April 1st a new smoke detector law is being enforced in the state of New York.
N-C-C News reporter Shoshana Stahl has more information after speaking with the Syracuse fire department earlier today
(Shoshana Stahl)
The new state law in New York requires smoke detectors to have a sealed battery lasting for 10 years.
Homeowners are not forced to replace the current smoke detectors they have but the old ones with replaceable batteries can no longer be sold.
Deputy Chief Elton Davis says these smoke detectors are essentially a form of insurance to keep both your home and your family safe.
(Deputy Chief Elton Davis)
“That this is a vital part of the home that will add to the safety of you and everybody that lives in the home but we have to turn it into common sense.”
(Shoshana Stahl)
Although people aren’t currently required to replace their smoke detectors, homeowners and property managers must upgrade to the new ones before selling or renting their property.
Davis says that these sealed detectors also prevent people from forgetting to replace the batteries which was a major factor in passing this new law.
(Deputy Chief Elton Davis)
“That we can remove that human element and that we’ll have protection in these residences continuously.”
(Shoshana Stahl)
One of the driving forces behind replacing these old smoke detectors is that so people can’t just do this, remove the batteries. Deputy chief says it’s not just about the new smoke detectors though it’s also about practicing fire safety within the home and within the kitchen to prevent house fires in the future.
(Deputy Chief Elton Davis)
“That’s down a different lane here about education about proper cooking practices, safe disposal of smoking materials when you’re in the home. Things like that.”
(Shoshana Stahl)
Davis says the cost of these new smoke detectors won’t burn a hole in your wallet.
He estimated these detectors will be sold for around $15 retail but this ends up saving you money since the battery lasts for a decade.
For N-C-C News I’m Shoshana Stahl
