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New California Carbon Monoxide Detector Law
Friday, January 20th, 2012Effective July 1, 2011 new legislation requires homeowners to install carbon monoxide detectors in every California home. Owners of multi-family leased or rental dwellings, such as apartment buildings, have until January 1, 2013 to comply with the law.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced from heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and many types of appliances and cooking devices. 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.
CO Poisoning Symptoms
Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. You can even die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches, and may have longer term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that CO poisoning could be the cause.
Prevent CO Poisoning
Play it Safe - If you experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning:
- CALL 911 or your local emergency number.
- GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY. Open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the house.
- DO NOT re-enter the premises until cleared by emergency personnel.
- GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM and tell the physician you suspect CO poisoning.
- If CO poisoning has occurred, it can often be diagnosed by a blood test done soon after exposure.
Safety Tips
Follow these guidelines to help keep your family safer.
- Install CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home including the basement. The CO alarm can warn you if too much CO is in your home.
- Keep CO alarms clear of dust and debris.
- Ensure CO alarms are plugged all the way into a working outlet, or if battery operated, have working batteries.
- DON'T idle the car in a garage -- even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home.
- DON'T use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
- DON'T ever use a charcoal grill indoors -- even in a fireplace.
- DON'T sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
- DON'T use any gasoline-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small engines or generators) in enclosed spaces.
- DON'T ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing.
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