Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Make Sure Your Smoke and CO Alarms are Working
Non-working smoke and CO alarms rob residents of the protection these devices were designed to provide. The most common cause of non-working alarms is dead or missing batteries. The Wellfleet Fire Department urges everyone to check that they have new smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries. If you need new batteries for your smoke or CO alarms, bring the old batteries to the Senior Center or Fire Department for a free exchange for new ones. If you need help changing the batteries, or feel you can't reach them safely, please call the Fire Department and we'll send someone out to change them for you.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Massachusetts law requires carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in all residences. “Nicole’s Law” was signed by Governor Romney in November, 2005. For most homes with fossil fuel burning equipment, the new regulations require carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home or dwelling unit including habitable portions of basements and attics. On levels with sleeping areas the alarms must be placed within ten feet of the bedroom doors.
- Click here for what to do if your CO alarm goes off.
- Homeowners: click here for more information on installing CO alarms.
- Landlords: click here for information on your responsibility to install CO alarms.
- Contractors: click here for information on the requirements for CO alarms in new or remodeled construction.
- Click here for more detailed information on the risks of CO poisoning.