Montvale Urges Urgent Carbon Monoxide Detector Checks Following Fatal Incident

photos courtesy of Borough of Montvale

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Montvale NJ, Following a tragic incident on Lexington Lane where two residents died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, Montvale borough officials and fire leaders are issuing an urgent safety reminder to all homeowners and renters: inspect and test your carbon monoxide detectors immediately.

Mayor Mike Ghassali and Montvale Fire Chief Geoffrey Gibbons are calling on every resident to take proactive measures to protect their homes against the “silent killer.”

“This is an important reminder that a properly functioning carbon monoxide detector can save lives. Please take a moment today to check yours and install one if you don’t already have one… Don’t ever say, ‘It will never happen to me.’”

— Mayor Mike Ghassali

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Free Carbon Monoxide Detectors & Batteries Available for Montvale Residents

To ensure every household in the community is protected, the borough is providing free carbon monoxide detectors and replacement batteries through the Montvale Mayor Charity Fund.

How to Get Your Free Detector:

• In-Person Pickup: Visit Montvale Borough Hall during normal business hours.

• Home Delivery: Available for residents who are unable to pick up devices in person.

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Critical Safety & Placement Guidelines from Montvale Fire Department

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas produced by fossil-fuel-burning equipment, including furnaces, water heaters, stoves, and motor vehicles. Because it cannot be detected without an operational alarm, proper installation and maintenance are essential.

Montvale Fire Chief Geoffrey Gibbons highlights key safety practices for every home:

1. Proper Placement

• Install detectors within 10 feet of all bedroom doors to ensure alarms can wake sleeping residents.

• Avoid installing directly inside boiler or furnace rooms, as ambient conditions in these spaces can cause false alarms over time.

2. Maintenance & Testing

• Test alarms monthly by pressing the test button.

• Replace batteries twice a year (a great rule of thumb is when changing clocks for daylight saving time).

• Pay attention to warning beeps: Intermittent chirping can signal low batteries, unit malfunction, or that the device has reached the end of its 5- to 10-year lifespan.

3. Emergency Protocol

The Montvale Fire Department responds to 35 to 50 carbon monoxide calls annually. While many are false alarms due to low batteries or aging devices, several involve life-threatening gas accumulations.

“If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, get out of the house immediately and call 911. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

— Fire Chief Geoffrey Gibbons

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