Carbon Monoxide Alarm Laws Result from Family Tragedies
By Kidde R&C
To date, 25 U.S. states, as well as several large municipalities, have laws passed or pending to require carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in residences. Yet, look beyond the numbers, and you’ll find heartache and bravery. You’ll hear from families spurred by tragedy to make a difference.
People like Cheryl Burt, Tom Julia, Maria Dempsey and Barbara Bertot. They come from different cities, different areas, but all are on the same personal quest to stop a Silent Killer.
Each has experienced firsthand the tragic result of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Minnesota resident Cheryl Burt lost two sons to CO poisoning, while Maria Dempsey’s sister, Caroline, died while on a ski trip in Aspen with her family. Caroline Lofgren’s husband and two children died as well. When an off-campus Virginia Tech apartment building filled with carbon monoxide, Tom Julia’s daughter, Kristin, died, and 19 others were injured. Florida resident Barbara Bertot lost her teenage daughter, Janelle, to CO poisoning as well.
Each will tell you that a simple device – a CO alarm – may have saved their loved ones from death or severe illness, so all are demanding change. Their voices, along with advocates from fire departments, public health and safety organizations, have asked lawmakers to make their communities safer.
Federal and State lawmakers are listening. In addition to half of the U.S. states either requiring or considering a CO alarm requirement, the International Residential Code (IRC) Council voted in March 2009 in favor of adopting a code that requires the installation of CO alarms in newly constructed one- and two-family dwellings. In December, a subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee heard testimony for Senate Bill 1216, the “Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act.” Sponsored by Senator Amy Klobachar (D-MN), S 1216 would require all carbon monoxide alarms sold in the U.S. to comply with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034, the third-party independent standard to which manufacturers test and list their alarms. Currently, listing a CO alarm to this standard is voluntary, although most states with laws requiring residential CO alarms mandate that they meet UL 2034.
Safe Kids coalitions and chapters have been influential in pre- and post-legislative awareness efforts, particularly in North Carolina, Colorado, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and New York. While many of these states help with education to get bills passed, New York coalitions and chapters are currently engaging in a multi-faceted awareness campaign about the new law by encouraging families to purchase carbon monoxide alarms and take steps to prevent CO poisoning.
Recent industry and independent surveys show that CO alarm usage in homes has almost doubled in the past six years, from 27% in 2003 to 50% in 2009. Yet, carbon monoxide remains the leading cause of unintentional poisoning deaths in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This odorless, invisible gas claims 500 lives and sends another 20,000 to emergency departments each year, according to the CDC.
By Kidde R&C
To date, 25 U.S. states, as well as several large municipalities, have laws passed or pending to require carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in residences. Yet, look beyond the numbers, and you’ll find heartache and bravery. You’ll hear from families spurred by tragedy to make a difference.
People like Cheryl Burt, Tom Julia, Maria Dempsey and Barbara Bertot. They come from different cities, different areas, but all are on the same personal quest to stop a Silent Killer.
Each has experienced firsthand the tragic result of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Minnesota resident Cheryl Burt lost two sons to CO poisoning, while Maria Dempsey’s sister, Caroline, died while on a ski trip in Aspen with her family. Caroline Lofgren’s husband and two children died as well. When an off-campus Virginia Tech apartment building filled with carbon monoxide, Tom Julia’s daughter, Kristin, died, and 19 others were injured. Florida resident Barbara Bertot lost her teenage daughter, Janelle, to CO poisoning as well.
Each will tell you that a simple device – a CO alarm – may have saved their loved ones from death or severe illness, so all are demanding change. Their voices, along with advocates from fire departments, public health and safety organizations, have asked lawmakers to make their communities safer.
Federal and State lawmakers are listening. In addition to half of the U.S. states either requiring or considering a CO alarm requirement, the International Residential Code (IRC) Council voted in March 2009 in favor of adopting a code that requires the installation of CO alarms in newly constructed one- and two-family dwellings. In December, a subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee heard testimony for Senate Bill 1216, the “Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act.” Sponsored by Senator Amy Klobachar (D-MN), S 1216 would require all carbon monoxide alarms sold in the U.S. to comply with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034, the third-party independent standard to which manufacturers test and list their alarms. Currently, listing a CO alarm to this standard is voluntary, although most states with laws requiring residential CO alarms mandate that they meet UL 2034.
Safe Kids coalitions and chapters have been influential in pre- and post-legislative awareness efforts, particularly in North Carolina, Colorado, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and New York. While many of these states help with education to get bills passed, New York coalitions and chapters are currently engaging in a multi-faceted awareness campaign about the new law by encouraging families to purchase carbon monoxide alarms and take steps to prevent CO poisoning.
Recent industry and independent surveys show that CO alarm usage in homes has almost doubled in the past six years, from 27% in 2003 to 50% in 2009. Yet, carbon monoxide remains the leading cause of unintentional poisoning deaths in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This odorless, invisible gas claims 500 lives and sends another 20,000 to emergency departments each year, according to the CDC.
Cheryl, Tom, Maria, Barbara and so many others remain on a quest to ensure every home has at least one CO alarm. It’s a quest to remind lawmakers and officials how simple prevention can save lives, and one that they hope will keep others from suffering senseless tragedies.
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