November is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month and with the heating season in full swing, Unitil is reminding residents to test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly.
“With the recent time change, it is a reminder that it is time to test and replace batteries in all detectors,” Lunenburg Fire Chief Pat Sullivan said, adding that Massachusetts law requires a working detector on every level of a home or business.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas found in combustion fumes that can cause sudden illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires, more than 100,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized.
Cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, gas ranges, water heaters, and heating systems produce carbon monoxide. Sullivan said that many of the calls they receive are for gas grills, generators, and even vehicles that are operated too close to the home or garage.
“It is important to test and make sure the detectors are in good working order. I also want to emphasize that natural gas, propane, and oil-fired appliances should be serviced annually to ensure they are in good working order. We had seven carbon monoxide incidents in 2024 and 10 so far in 2025, where we found CO,” Sullivan said.
The town of Lunenburg offers a program that provides free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for its senior citizens experiencing financial hardship.
During 2024, Unitil responded to 104 carbon monoxide calls across all its service territories, with the majority of these calls resulting from out-of-date carbon monoxide detectors and faulty appliances, including cooking stoves, boilers, and water heaters.
In addition to carbon monoxide detectors, homes with natural gas appliances can increase safety by installing natural gas detectors.
“Homes served by natural gas should also consider installing natural gas detectors for an added layer of protection,” said Amanda Vicinanzo, Unitil’s External Affairs Manager. “These devices work similarly to smoke and carbon monoxide detectors but measure the presence of a natural gas leak from a faulty appliance or other source. When a leak is detected, the device will sound an alarm signaling everyone to safely evacuate the building before notifying emergency officials.”
