Carbon Monoxide detectors required in homes as of July 1

Homeowners have a few weeks left to install carbon monoxide
detectors in their residences, which will be required by law as of
July 1.
“Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, each year claiming the
lives of an average of 480 people, and sending more than 20,000
people to emergency rooms across the nation,” Acting State Fire
Marshal Tonya Hoover said in a CAL FIRE press release.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is
produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and many types of
appliances and cooking devices.
The best way for homeowners to stay protected from CO is to have
a carbon monoxide detector installed on every floor and outside
each sleeping area, states the press release, which also notes that
only about one in 10 California homes currently have carbon
monoxide detectors installed.
If an appliance is not functioning correctly it could create a
condition where the carbon monoxide gas — instead of being
exhausted to the exterior of the building or the home — is not
allowed to escape the building, Sonoma County Fire and Emergency
Services Fire Marshall Robert MacIntyre said.
“What will happen in these more energy efficient buildings that
are more tightly constructed to conserve energy, if the carbon
monoxide gas is not allowed to escape the building, then that gas
can build up to levels that can cause death,” he said, noting this
type of scenario typically happens at night when people are
sleeping.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause fatigue and a headache upon
waking, that goes away after getting out of the house and getting
some fresh air, MacIntyre said. “But if you stay in that condition
over a long period of time, you could go to sleep and never wake
up.”
Exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can cause shortness of
breath, mild nausea and mild headaches. Symptoms of exposure to
moderate levels of CO include severe headaches, dizziness, nausea,
faintness and mental confusion, according to CAL FIRE.
People who suspect CO poisoning should get fresh air immediately
— and get to an emergency room.
“Don’t ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is
feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do
nothing,” CAL FIRE states.
Though previous laws only required newly constructed homes to
have CO alarms, the state’s new Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Prevention Act (Senate Bill 183) requires owners of all existing
single-family homes with an attached garage or a fossil fuel source
to install CO alarm devices within the home by July 1, 2011,
according to CAL FIRE.
Owners of multi-family leased or rental dwellings, such as
apartment buildings, have until Jan. 1, 2013 to comply with the
law.
“This regulation has been along time coming,” MacIntyre said. “I
recommend people put one in regardless of the requirements,” he
said, noting he has had one in his house for years.
Sebastopol Fire Chief John Zanzi thinks it’s a great
law.
“We don’t have a lot of experience with (carbon monoxide
poisoning) but it does happen a lot throughout the country where
people are shut up in homes during the winter and an old gas
burning appliance has a problem and fills the home with carbon
monoxide,” Zanzi said.
Sebastopol Fire Department responds to several calls a year
regarding carbon monoxide issues, most of which are discovered by
people who have carbon monoxide detectors, Zanzi said.
However, he hasn’t seen any serious injuries or deaths in
Sebastopol associated with carbon monoxide poisoning, he said.
For more information on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov.
Laura McCutcheon can be reached at la***@so********.com.