BOSTON — The COVID-19 pandemic is deadly and dangerous, but every day, we’re learning about possible peripheral effects from the shutdown.
We told you early on in the pandemic how crash investigators believed fewer people on the roads were leading to faster speeds and more deadly crashes.
But now, fire investigators say they are seeing more deadly fires. It’s unclear if there are more overall fires but the state fire marshal reports there have been more fatal fires.
“On average, we have four fire deaths in April. In April 2020, we have had six fire deaths in MA and that is the most since 2008,” State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey told Boston 25 News.
In the six different fires, most of them were smoking-related. The fire marshal says more people are smoking at home of course with the stay-at-home advisory in effect.
There have also been two deadly fires in May so far.
On average, the state fire marshal says they average two to three fatal fires for the entire month.
“People don’t realize how quickly fire progresses,” Ostroskey said. "You really only have one to three minutes to get outside.”
The fire marshal is urging people more than ever to check the batteries in smoke detectors, that there are two ways out and that you don’t have any equipment that is more than 10 years old.
“Over time, the device becomes less sensitive, so you may be able to put new batteries in and test it," Ostroskey explained.
With everyone home more these days, the fire marshal is urging people to be more vigilant than ever.
“It’s always a good time," Ostroskey said. “To make sure you have everything, but there are important times to make sure our families are properly protected.”
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RESOURCES:
- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information
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