Nicole's Law - CO Safety Standards

Nicole’s Law was signed into law November 4, 2005 by Governor Mitt Romney, making Massachusetts the 4th state (Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York City) to require carbon monoxide alarms in all residential properties. On March 31, 2006 the statute went into effect, requiring that carbon monoxide alarms be installed in every dwelling unit that has an enclosed parking facility or fossil fuel heating devices, meaning oil, gas, coal, wood and propane.

The legislation was named after 7 year old Nicole Garafolo of Plymouth, Massachusetts, who died tragically from carbon monoxide poisoning in January 2005 when snow drifts blocked an exhaust vent for her home’s propane-fired boiler. Every year 15,000 Americans are injured by exposure to non-fire-related carbon monoxide and of those, 500 die as a result of their exposure.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that results from the incomplete burning of fossil fuels such as natural gas from stoves or heaters, wood, kerosene, oil, charcoal, gasoline and other fuels. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure mimic the flu, including headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue.

As the Seller of any dwelling unit, now you are required to have an inspection for both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms by your city or town’s fire department. Carbon monoxide alarms can be the plug-in variety, but must have battery back-up, and are required on every habitable level of a dwelling, and at least 10 feet from any bedrooms.

Even if you do not intend to sell your property, it is important to install carbon monoxide alarms in order to protect your family and tenants from this silent killer.