The New York State Division of Consumer Protection today alerted New Yorkers that, effective April 1, 2019, all new or replacement smoke detectors offered for sale in New York State must either be powered by a sealed, non-removable battery with a minimum battery life of 10 years or hard-wired to the building.

“Smoke alarms save lives by providing warnings to allow us to get out of the house before we are trapped by fire or smoke,” said New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, who oversees the Division of Consumer Protection. “The new smoke detectors do not require periodic battery replacements, and therefore reduce the possibility of human error. This is an important law that will undoubtedly save lives.”

Retailers will be able to sell any remaining residential-type removable battery-operated smoke detecting alarm devices in their inventories or were ordered prior to April 1. All product packaging containing a sealed, non-removable battery-operated smoke detector must include the following information: the manufacturer's name or registered trademark, the model number of the smoke detecting alarm device, and that the smoke detector has a minimum battery life of ten years.

Installation of smoke detectors is governed by applicable regional fire and building codes, which are not impacted by this change.  Neither this new law nor regional fire and building codes will require the removal and/or replacement of any existing smoke detector powered by a replaceable, removeable battery that was installed in compliance with such codes.

For safety, alarms should still be checked for effectiveness twice each year by pressing the test button on the front of the detector.

For more information on keeping homes safe, please review the Division of Consumer Protection’s Safety Tips for Today’s Home.

For questions about the new law or to file a marketplace consumer complaint against a business or individual, please contact the Division of Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 697-1220 or visit our website at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Consumer Assistance Hotline is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. You can also follow the Division of Consumer Protection on social media on Twitter: @NYSConsumer  and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.