A carbon monoxide detector isn’t the most interesting thing in one’s home, but it’s quick and easy to install and for rental properties, it’s about to become the law.
Beginning June 1, Pennsylvania law will require rental properties to have detectors installed within the vicinity of the units’ bedrooms.
Jeff Andrews, who oversees the Department of Property Maintenance and Inspection in the City of Bradford, confirmed on Thursday the requirement will be enforced in the city.
“Starting in June, when we go to do inspections, we will be looking for that and enforcing it,” he said.
It’s not an onerous requirement by any means, he said. There are battery-operated units similar to a smoke detector, or dual units which detect smoke and/or carbon monoxide. “They are readily available and pretty easy to get. I’ve seen prices from about $15 to about $60. There shouldn’t be a hardship to anybody.”
And the detectors can quite literally be life savers.
“This is near and dear to my heart. I’ve lost some good friends to it,” Andrews said, explaining his friends had died sitting at their dining room table at their Ohio home, succumbing to the silent killer of carbon monoxide.
Bradford City fire chief Eric Taylor explained the importance of the detectors.
“Carbon monoxide detectors are very important because none of our senses let us know we have an issue until the symptoms have started,” the chief said. “Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels. Most commonly natural gas is the culprit we see it from locally.
“CO enters the body through breathing. CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, light headedness or headaches,” he explained. “High levels of CO can be fatal, causing death within minutes.”
Taylor said the detectors can be purchased at any hardware store and at electrical supply stores, as well as Walmart.
“They should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area,” he said. “We ask you treat this like a smoke detector, test it monthly, replace the batteries bi-annually and follow any other recommendations that the manufacturer may have.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate carbon monoxide “is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.”
The CDC says everyone is at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, but infants, the elderly, people with chronic heart disease, anemia or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from it.
“Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized,” according to the CDC.
Andrews said he hopes to schedule a work session prior to a city council meeting next month to explain the law’s requirements and to answer questions about it.
