Fire officials highlight importance of smoke, carbon monoxide detectors

EAST LONGMEADOW, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Fire departments across western Massachusetts are reminding you about the importance of having smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and, on Thursday, some of them joined the state fire marshal in East Longmeadow to relay that message.

“A total of 45 people lost their lives to fire in Massachusetts last year and nearly 70 percent of those deaths took place in the home,” said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. “Tragically, more than half of those homes that had fatal fires did not have working smoke alarms.”

It’s a stark reminder for all of us that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the house can save lives. It was the message at the East Longmeadow firehouse with several western Massachusetts fire chiefs and commissioners, who joined Davine to make the points clear. Among those who spoke was Westfield Fire Chief Patrick Egloff, who gave an outlook from a western Massachusetts perspective.

“We know that there will be fires as long as people are cooking, heating their homes, smoking, and using electricity, but we also know that almost every fire death can be prevented if residents install, test, and maintain their smoke alarms,” Eglodd explained.

According to the state fire marshal’s office, about 30 percent of Massachusetts fire deaths in 2023 were in western Massachusetts, including five in Springfield, and four out of those five were in situations where there were no smoke detectors.

“Those people could possibly be alive today if they had functioning smoke detectors in their home,” said Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi.

Last march, Calvi and some of his fellow firefighters responded to a house fire on East Street in East Springfield. Two people were killed and there were no working smoke detectors in the home. Calvi told Western Mass News that anyone who does not have a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm should get one, especially those that can do double duty.

“You can double up and do one detector that does both,” Calvi noted. “Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are vitally important. They’re a low-dollar life insurance policy for you and your families.”

The American Red Cross currently works with local fire departments to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in residences for free. For Davine, he wants the public to stay safe.

“Please, take it from the experts gathered here today to be sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home,” Davine added.

If you have smoke or carbon monoxide detectors that were made before 2014, experts advise you to have them replaced as soon as possible.