The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (HR 1796), which sets federal standards for carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and provides an incentive for states to require alarms in homes. The focus now turns to the Senate, where a similar bill is expected to begin moving through committee this fall.
Sponsored by Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT), HR 1796 would create a mandatory guideline for all CO alarms sold in the U.S., including compliance with the third-party standard known as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034.
In addition, the House bill would establish a $10 million federal grant program administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to provide assistance to states that engage in a CO alarm education and training program. The grants would help pay for development of training materials and the purchase and installation of alarms in schools and homes of low-income and elderly individuals.
Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, claiming 400 lives and sending another 20,000 to the emergency room each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is produced by fossil fuel-burning appliances, which under certain circumstances, including malfunction or improper ventilation, can cause CO to build up in a home.
“Because you can’t see, smell or taste carbon monoxide, a family must have confidence that its CO alarm will alert them when danger occurs,” said John Andres, vice president of engineering for Kidde Residential & Commercial. “Kidde’s CO alarms are rigorously tested to obtain third-party approval and meet UL 2034. In addition, we test 100 percent of our CO sensors and all of our alarms bear the UL mark.”
The safest known way to detect carbon monoxide is to install a working carbon monoxide alarm. Industry reports show that as of 2008, nearly 50 percent of U.S. homes had a CO alarm. However, a survey by Kelton Research found that, of those homes, only about half (27%) have more than one alarm installed. Fire safety experts such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend placing CO alarms on each floor and near sleeping areas. The majority of states with CO laws require this placement as well.
Currently, 27 states have some type of carbon monoxide alarm requirement, and Kidde R&C is actively working to support similar legislation in four more states this year.
Residential CO alarms are available at home improvement retailers, mass merchants and via the Web. For more information, visit www.kidde.com.
Sponsored by Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT), HR 1796 would create a mandatory guideline for all CO alarms sold in the U.S., including compliance with the third-party standard known as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034.
In addition, the House bill would establish a $10 million federal grant program administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to provide assistance to states that engage in a CO alarm education and training program. The grants would help pay for development of training materials and the purchase and installation of alarms in schools and homes of low-income and elderly individuals.
Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, claiming 400 lives and sending another 20,000 to the emergency room each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is produced by fossil fuel-burning appliances, which under certain circumstances, including malfunction or improper ventilation, can cause CO to build up in a home.
“Because you can’t see, smell or taste carbon monoxide, a family must have confidence that its CO alarm will alert them when danger occurs,” said John Andres, vice president of engineering for Kidde Residential & Commercial. “Kidde’s CO alarms are rigorously tested to obtain third-party approval and meet UL 2034. In addition, we test 100 percent of our CO sensors and all of our alarms bear the UL mark.”
The safest known way to detect carbon monoxide is to install a working carbon monoxide alarm. Industry reports show that as of 2008, nearly 50 percent of U.S. homes had a CO alarm. However, a survey by Kelton Research found that, of those homes, only about half (27%) have more than one alarm installed. Fire safety experts such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend placing CO alarms on each floor and near sleeping areas. The majority of states with CO laws require this placement as well.
Currently, 27 states have some type of carbon monoxide alarm requirement, and Kidde R&C is actively working to support similar legislation in four more states this year.
Residential CO alarms are available at home improvement retailers, mass merchants and via the Web. For more information, visit www.kidde.com.
