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 more than 10,000 people are injured, including, on average, 100 New Yorkers." 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. Each year hundreds of people experience what they think are the symptoms of flu: headaches, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness. These are actually symptoms of CO poisoning as well. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can kill you if inhaled. You cannot see it, smell it, or taste it. It is sometimes called the "silent killer" because it can take your life without warning. Most people that die in home fires die at night, while they are asleep. They don't wake up because the CO puts them into a deeper sleep. They are unable to respond and escape.
When air containing CO is inhaled, it displaces oxygen in the bloodstream. It reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen to vital organs such as the heart and brain. In addition to flulike symptoms, it can cause vomiting, loss of consciousness, brain damage and/or death. Unborn babies, infants, senior citizens, and people with heart and breathing problems are at an especially high risk.
How it is produced CO is a product of incomplete combustion. Any fuel-burning device has the potential to produce dangerous levels of CO gas. Examples of common devices that may emit CO include: Fuel-fired furnaces (not electric), Gas water heaters, Fireplaces and wood stoves, Gas stoves, Non-electric space heaters, Gas dryers, Charcoal grills, Lawnmowers, snow blowers, etc., Automobiles, Gas powered generators. Since carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, the best way to alert your family is to install a carbon monoxide detector/alarm to warn of the gas's build-up.
Preventing CO Make sure appliances are installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and by professionals. Have heating systems inspected and serviced at least once a year. Make sure chimneys and vents are checked for blockages, corrosion, and loose connections. Open flues completely when fireplaces are in use. Use proper fuel in space heaters. Never burn charcoal or a barbecue grill inside a home or enclosed space. Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent. Never leave a car, mower, or other such item running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open. Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping. Never use the kitchen range for heating a house. Never run a gas powered generator in a garage, basement, or near any overhang on the home. Keep it at a distance.
What are symptoms of CO poisoning? The symptoms of CO poisoning are flu-like, including headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and confusion. Prolonged exposure can result in vomiting, blackouts, and, eventually, brain damage and death. The amount of CO inhaled and how long you are exposed to it determines the effect. Where should CO detectors be installed? CO is almost identical in weight to air and thus mixes freely in it. For this reason, alarms may be installed at any level in a room. If the detector is being mounted on a ceiling, it should be installed away from existing smoke alarms in order to be able to distinguish between the CO and smoke alarms in an emergency. Every home should be equipped with at least one CO alarm near the sleeping area. For maximum protection, additional alarms should be located on each level of your home. What should I do if the CO alarm sounds? Stay calm. Most situations resulting in activation of a CO detector are not life threatening and do not require calling the fire department. To determine if emergency services should be called, ask everyone in the house: "Do you feel ill? Do you have flu-like symptoms of headache, nausea, or dizziness?" If the answer to these questions by anyone in the house is "yes," evacuate the house and have someone call 9-1-1 and have the fire department respond. Failure to get out immediately may result in prolonged exposure, worsening effects from the CO. The best initial treatment for CO exposure is fresh air. If the answer to the questions, by everyone, is "no," the likelihood of a serious exposure is much less and you may not need to call the fire department. Instead, turn off all fuel-burning devices, ventilate the area, and attempt resetting the alarm. If the alarm will not reset or resounds, call a qualified technician to inspect, service, and/or repair your fuel-burning device. If at any time during this process someone begins to feel ill with the symptoms described above, evacuate everyone from the building to a safe location and call the fire department.
Information in this article was obtained from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. http://www.dos.state.ny.us/fire
