Carbon Monoxide in Croton Homes

Croton-on-Hudson First Assistant Fire Chief John Munson has sent Patch an important message about carbon monoxide detectors that he and the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department would like to share with you.

As colder weather approaches and thermostats begin to rise, now is the time to ensure every home has operating Carbon Monoxide detectors.

The gas, Carbon Monoxide or “CO”, is the number one cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the US.  It is produced when any fuel is burned.  Potential sources in the home include gas or oil furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, clothes dryers, fireplaces, wood-burning and pellet stoves, generators, ovens, and other cooking appliances.  Another common source of CO is the exhaust fumes from a car or other gas-powered motor, such as those used for landscaping.

Since Carbon Monoxide is only detectable with a working Carbon Monoxide alarm (CO is odorless, colorless and tasteless) it is known as a “silent killer.”  Annually, 400 people are killed and another 20,000 become ill from CO poisoning.

The Croton Volunteer Fire Department responds to an average of four Carbon Monoxide Alarm activations each month, where nearly half of these investigations reveal an actual CO incident.  While most are minor in nature, some have revealed potentially lethal levels of the dangerous gas in the structure.  Without working CO Detectors, these hazardous conditions would go undetected and many people could become ill, or worse. 

In 2010, New York State approved what is known as “Amanda’s Law.”  This law requires the installation of Carbon Monoxide Detectors in every residential building.  A detector should be installed on every level of the home, as well as outside of every sleeping area.  For more information on the proper installation of CO Detectors, please visit www.amandaslaw.org. 

Carbon Monoxide detectors, as well as smoke detectors and other home fire safety equipment, will be on sale at discounted prices at the Croton Fire Department’s annual Fire Fair on Sunday, October 14^th from 1pm to 5pm at Harmon Firehouse.

For more information or to ask any questions about the hazards of Carbon Monoxide, please call us at (914) 271-2693 or emailCOinfo@crotonfd.org.  In the event your CO Detector is activated, close all windows and doors evacuate the building and call 911.