BOSTON – State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan issued a warning in the wake of a Milford fatal carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning over the weekend. One couple died from CO poisoning and another couple living in the other half of the duplex nearly died. There were no working carbon monoxide or smoke alarms in either apartment.
“This terrible tragedy underscores the reason Nicole’s Law requiring carbon monoxide alarms in nearly every home was enacted in the first place,” said Coan, “Take a minute to make sure you have working CO alarms in your home. Test them and replace the batteries if need be. And if the alarm is more than 5-7 years old, the entire may need to be replaced.”
Nicole’s Law
Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms have been required in nearly every residence in Massachusetts since March of 2006. Homes that use any fossil fuel, burn wood, or have enclosed parking areas are required to have CO detection. This law is called Nicole’s Law, named after a 7-year Plymouth girl who died from CO poisoning.
CO Invisible, Odorless & Tasteless
“Carbon monoxide is called the invisible killer because you cannot see it, taste it or smell it,” said Coan, “That’s why a working CO alarm on every level of your home will protect you and your family.” Breathing CO makes people feel nauseas, dizzy, headachy, and tired like having the flu. It poisons the body by removing oxygen in the blood stream, slowly suffocating victims. It makes it hard to think clearly and sleeping people will not wake up without an alarm.
Heating Leading Source of CO in Homes
Heating equipment is the leading cause of CO incidents. It can also come from hot water heaters, gas stoves, gas dryers, barbecue grills, fireplaces, and from cars, lawn mowers, snow blowers or generators running inside the garage – even with the door open. A large number of CO incidents take place between the months of November and February and between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. This is the time when most heating equipment is being used at home.
Over 15,000 CO Incidents in MA
In 2014, Massachusetts fire departments responded to almost 15,000 CO incidents and in over one-quarter, or 4,200 incidents, elevated levels of CO were detected.
