According to WGME, Falmouth's Ann Goggin has invented a device that could save thousands of lives.

The device, called "Alice", uses a laser to measure how much heating oil is left in your tank.  Connected by wifi, homeowners can use an app to see how much oil they have left.

She got the idea after occasionally running out of heating oil at the most inconvenient times.

For most of us, running out of oil is just a pain.  However, for some people (like the elderly), running out of heating oil at a bad time (blizzard or extreme cold snap) could prove fatal.

The device retails for about $130 and is named for Alice Parker, and African-American woman who invented a gas furnace but never got the credit she deserved.

More From Kool AM