Homes Must Have Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control (OFPC) is working to ensure homeowners are aware of the hazards of carbon monoxide and the new state law, known as Amanda’s Law, which, as of February 22, 2010, requires all residences, both new and existing, to have carbon monoxide alarms installed.


The law is named for Amanda Hansen, 16, of West Seneca, who was found unconscious at a friend's house in January 2009. Officials later determined she had been exposed to lethal levels of carbon monoxide in the home's basement, where she and her friend were having a sleepover. She later died at South Buffalo Mercy Hospital.

“Carbon monoxide alarms save lives,” said State Fire Administrator Floyd A. Madison, adding that carbon monoxide poisoning is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the United States. “More than 2,100 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year and over than 10,000 people are injured, including, on average, 100 New Yorkers.”

Carbon monoxide can be produced when burning any fuel such as; gasoline, charcoal, propane, natural gas, kerosene, oil, wood, or coal. If any flammable or combustible material burns incompletely, carbon monoxide is produced. Carbon monoxide can kill in minutes or hours depending on the level of carbon monoxide in the air.

“We expect that the most frequently asked questions will be about the requirement for existing one and two family residences,” Deputy State Fire Administrator, John F. Mueller said. “Now these homes will be required to have one carbon monoxide alarm installed on the lowest story having a sleeping area.”

Homes built before Jan. 1, 2008, will be permitted to have battery-powered alarms, Mueller said, while homes built after that date will need to have the alarms hard-wired in. Additionally, Amanda's Law will require contractors in New York State to install a carbon monoxide alarm when replacing a fuel-fired hot water tank or furnace if the home is not equipped with an alarm.

Although specific requirements differ slightly for new and existing residences, the intent of the law is to help save lives from a silent, odorless and colorless killer.

“OFPC has been a staunch advocate for carbon monoxide detection,” Chief Paul D. Martin of the OFPC Bureau of Fire Prevention said. “With fire departments across the state responding to more than 40,000 CO emergencies each year, the early detection and alarm afforded by a carbon monoxide alarm is going to go far toward preventing tragic deaths like Amanda’s.”

OFPC is committed to increasing public awareness of carbon monoxide and the change in state law with a new Public Service Announcement developed through a public-private partnership with the Kidde Corporation.

Reference Link: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire/firewww.html

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; this is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Have A Merry And Fire-Safe Christmas

In the U.S. on average, 200 Christmas tree fires occur annually, causing 24 deaths. Many do not realize the hazards associated with a tree that is not properly maintained.

Each year thousands suffer injury, burns, and death due to holiday decorations and carelessness. Trees, lights, ornaments and fireplaces produce extra hazards in our homes at time when the hectic season may distract us from fire safety. Enjoy the holiday season. Here is some fire safety advice to follow for a happy holiday.

During the holidays, when homes are full of combustible items such as holiday decorations and wrapping paper preventive measures must be reinforced. There is nothing more important than providing a safe home for your family.

If you buy a natural, cut tree, check for freshness. Shedding needles are a sign of a dry tree and a serious hazard. Fresh needles won’t break when bent. Once the tree is home, keep it outside until you can decorate it. Cut off the base, one to two inches, and place it in a stable holder. Keep the holder filled with water and keep the tree away from heat.

Place your tree away from heaters and out of the exit ways. Check all lighting for safety. Look for fray or broken areas where wires are exposed. Damaged sets should be thrown out. Do not chance repairing. Keep bulbs from curtains and flammable materials and do not use candles anywhere on the tree.

No more then three sets of lights should be on an extension cord. Overloading cords can start a fire. Keep connections away from the water base and use Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listed cords of the correct size.

Use weather proof OUTDOOR lights and cords outdoors. These sets are for prolong exposure, so take them down as the season is over.

Unplug all lights and blow out candles before leaving the house or going to sleep. Do not use real candles in the windows; use electric ones listed by UL. Keep all ornaments, candles and cords away from children and pets.

Dry trees can burn like a torch and spread the fire. Remove them as soon as large amounts of needles fall.

Do not burn trees, decorations or wrapping papers in your fireplace. Wrappings and evergreens burn rapidly and throw sparks which can set the roof on fire.

Here’s a YouTube message from New York State Fire Administrator Floyd Madison informing all of the importance of keeping a natural tree properly hydrated. This YouTube video also shows how quickly a Christmas tree fire can erupt and develop once started, engulfing a room full of dangerous fire & smoke …

• ALWAYS REMEMBER keep the tree stand secure and filled with water.

• DO NOT place the tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent.

• KEEP open flames away from your tree. Never use candles as decorations.

• ALSO REMEMBER to check and make sure your smoke detector is working and never remove the battery to use for another purpose.

Be Fire Safe To Have A Fun, Enjoyable, Joyous, And Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)