Nicole's law: Wake up call for businesses
Firms ranging from alarm companies to hotels are sorting out the implications of a new safety statute called Nicole’s Law.
The law, named for a 7-year-old Plymouth girl who died of carbon monoxide poisoning, requires detectors in homes heated by fossil fuels.But details on the law’s second phase, which affects commercial dwellings like dormitories, hotels and hospitals, is set to go into effect Jan. 1 and regulators have not finalized details of what those systems should be like.
Meanwhile, the market for hardwired, monitored systems in residential homes has grown substantially since Nicole’s Law took effect, says Wells A. Sampson of Arlington-based America Alarm and Communications Inc, which has a monitoring center on Green St. in Worcester.
Sampson says since the law’s passage, CO monitoring has become the fastest growing part of his business. Although it’s not huge moneymaker — installations are a few hundred dollars, monthly service is $2 to $8 — the service has been invaluable to some customers. On at least three occasions in the last year, families have been saved from possible CO poisoning by American Alarms monitoring.
The passage of the law has made it easier to approach potential customers, Sampson says. "No one will say you’re a pushy salesman anymore. It’s no longer viewed the same way."
Kenneth J. St. Onge can be reached at kstonge@wbjournal.com
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