ALBANY, NY (11/01/2011)(readMedia)-- Power outages continue to affect several parts of the State in the aftermath of the season's first nor'easter. As many New Yorkers rely on portable generators for electricity, and gas/charcoal grills for heat and food preparation, the Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) reminds people that it is imperative that they act now to protect themselves and their families from the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO).
"Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control," said Acting State Fire Administrator Bryant D. Stevens. "You can't smell it, see it or taste it. Carbon monoxide kills more than 400 people every year and sends more than 20,000 people to the emergency room. The only safe way to detect it is with a carbon monoxide alarm."
When portable generators, gas/charcoal grills and candles are used improperly, they can significantly increase the risk of a house fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Without a carbon monoxide alarm, you may never even know carbon monoxide is in the air, slowly doing its lethal work with every breath you take.
Here are some important safety tips from OFPC:
Carbon monoxide alarms have become an essential element of an overall home safety program according to Paul D. Martin, Chief of Inspections and Investigations for OFPC. In February 2010, a new state law known as "Amanda's Law" became effective. Named in honor of Buffalo resident Amanda Hansen, a teenage girl who lost her life to carbon monoxide poisoning from a defective boiler when sleeping over at a friend's house, the law now requires CO alarms to be installed in all new and existing one and two-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings, and rentals having a fuel-burning appliance, system or attached garage.
For more information on CO safety and Amanda's Law, visit www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc.
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