Carbon Monoxide Detector Law Goes into Affect Today

By Bay City News Service

Cal Fire officials are reminding the public that starting today, state law requires carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in every home.

The new law requires all single-family homes with an attached garage or a fossil fuel source to install the alarm devices.

Fire officials said this new measure will save lives.

"Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, each year claiming the lives of an average of 480 people," state Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover said in a statement.

More than 20,000 people are sent to emergency rooms by the colorless, odorless gas, fire officials said.

Authorities say the best protection from carbon monoxide poisoning is to have a detector installed on every floor and outside each sleeping area.

For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning prevention,
visit www.fire.ca.gov.