New York state will soon mandate that new smoke detectors contain 10-year, non-removable batteries.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the measure into law late Monday.
States including California and Maryland already have similar requirements.
When the new law takes effect in New York in 2017 the state will prohibit the sale of any detector that requires traditional replaceable batteries. The rule is intended to reduce tampering and ensure detectors continue to work even if a homeowner or business owner forgot to change the batteries.
Sponsors say detectors are a proven lifesaver, noting that fire deaths have been cut in half since the state first required smoke alarms in homes starting in 1961.
According to manufacturers the mandate will save consumers money by negating the need to purchase new batteries.
SOURCE: AP
