Maine Gov. John Baldacci today ceremonially signed a measure intended to cut down on the number of carbon monoxide poisonings in Maine. LD 550 updates a law that governs the placement and testing of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and clarifies that both types of detectors must be powered by a battery and electricity.
"According to the Maine Center for Disease Control, between 150 and 200 people are hospitalized each year in Maine for carbon monoxide poisoning," Baldacci said at the signing. "This is a piece of legislation that is certain to improve the safety of Maine homes and I am pleased to sign it."
The measure was sponsored by Sen. Bill Diamond, a Cumberland County Democrat. It will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.
Questions about door-to-door sales of alarm systems in Lynchburg, VA, have prompted police to caution residents and remind them to check out sales deals before committing.
Over the past few weeks, the Lynchburg Police Department has received many calls about door-to-door sales of home security alarm systems in the city, according to a police department news release.
Officers ask that residents keep a few things in mind if a salesperson comes to the door.
w Anyone who sells alarm systems in the city must have a local business license and a Department of Criminal Justice Services license before they can sell the systems, the release said. Ask to see the Department of Criminal Justice Services license before conducting business.
w Residents are not obligated to provide any personal information and have the right to ask a salesperson to leave the property.
w Take time to make a decision about home security. Consider getting several estimates and comparison shopping.
w Read all information carefully and make sure to know the terms of the contract before signing. Sales personnel should also tell residents about the local alarm ordinances.
w Remember that state code gives residents the right to cancel the alarm system order within three days of the sale.
The city’s alarm system ordinance is designed to encourage the proper installation, maintenance and use of alarm systems without diverting emergency personnel for false alarms.
If dispatchers receive more than two false alarms within a permit year for any system, the user has to pay a service assessment fee. The ordinance also requires that anyone who purchases a monitored alarm systems must buy an annual alarm permit for $30 before the system is activated.
For more information, visit http://www.lynchburgva.gov/index.aspx?page=4024 or contact Amy Lowe, alarm systems coordinator, at (434) 455-4286 or e-mail amy.lowe@lynchburgva.govor Melissa Foster, deputy director of Lynchburg’s Emergency Communications Center, at (434) 455-4149 or e-mail melissa.foster@lynchburgva.gov.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar along with and Florida Sen. Bill Nelson introduced legislation Tuesday to combat deaths and injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, modeled after similar legislation in Minnesota, would require the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to enforce stronger standards to protect people against the deadly dangers of carbon monoxide.
"When someone dies from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s not just a private tragedy," said Klobuchar. "It’s a public tragedy, too. Because we know that, so often, it could have been prevented with better safeguards."
The Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act includes two key provisions. First, it would strengthen the safety standards for carbon monoxide alarms. The legislation would make these safety standards mandatory for all carbon monoxide alarms sold in the U.S.
Second, the legislation would require that the CPSC complete its review on whether portable generators sold in the U.S. can be equipped with safety mechanisms that, among other things, detect the level of carbon monoxide in the surrounding area and automatically turn off the portable generator before the level of CO reaches a threatening level.
Minnesota has a state law that requires all homes to have working CO alarms. Experts recommend installing them on each floor and near sleeping areas. A recent survey found that half of homes nationwide do not have CO alarms.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 500 people die each year in America due to accidental CO poisoning. Another 15,000 people end up in the emergency room.
According to the CDC, 73 Minnesotans died of accidental CO poisoning between 1999 and 2004.