• 22
  • February
    2012

Carbon monoxide (CO) cannot be seen, and is odorless and tasteless. In large doses, it is deadly. But this does not mean that people have to be defenseless against it.

In California alone, 40 people die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning and hundreds more are hospitalized from carbon monoxide-related illnesses. Carbon monoxide poisoning often occurs as the result of a defective appliance, such as a furnace or space heater. In many cases, carbon monoxide deaths and injuries could have been prevented by the use of a carbon monoxide detector.

Carbon monoxide detectors are similar to smoke detectors, and will send an alarm in the event that CO rises to an unsafe level in your residence. Detectors can be hardwired into your home, or you can purchase battery-powered or plug-in models.

The State of California has recognized the importance of having these types of safety devices in place. In 2010, the state passed a law making it mandatory to install carbon monoxide detectors in every home that has a fireplace, fossil fuel heating system or attached garage. The law for those homes went into effect in 2011, and will apply to all other types of homes in 2013.

Though it is unclear how individuals without carbon monoxide detectors will be punished under the law, it does send a clear message to the residents of California about the importance of a safety device that can cost as little as $30.

In addition, this law may help families who have lost loved ones and people injured to recover for lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical bills for carbon monoxide-related injuries and deaths in situations where a landlord or hotel room did not install a working detector.

Though the law has been criticized by some as a "nanny state" measure, others, including a firefighters association, have publicly shown support for the law. After all, failing to install a $30 device could result in even more costly injuries, or worse, the loss of a loved one.

Related resources: CPSC.gov, "CO Deaths Continue to Rise," 1/20/12; LA Times, "New law to require home carbon monoxide detectors," 5/7/10.