Carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas, is often called the “silent killer” because it claims the lives of nearly 500 people a year in California and puts nearly 20,000 people in the hospital, reports Acting State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Also troubling, according to a June 6, 2011 article in the Contra Costa Times, is that a recent study conducted by First Alert found that nearly nine out of 10 California households were not in compliance with the national recommendation for the number of carbon monoxide detectors required in a home.

A new California law going into effect on July 1, 2011 vows to change that. Beginning on July 1, California’s SB 183 will require owners of single-family homes that have a fossil-fuel burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage to have a CO alarm installed inside their home. Rental owners have until January 1, 2013 to install CO alarms in their units.

If you haven’t already installed a CO alarm in your home, you only have days left to do so, so be sure to stop by your local hardware store, or order one online from a website such as Amazon.com or FirstAlert.com.

When installing your CO alarm, FirstAlert.com offers these tips:

• Be sure to install an alarm on every level of your home and within 15 feet of sleeping areas to make sure everyone can hear the alarm, even if their door is closed. For even better protection, consider installing alarms within each bedroom.

• Place your alarm at least 15-20 feet away from the furnace or other combustible appliances, and at least 10 feet from sources of humidity like bathrooms and showers.

• If you have a basement, place an alarm at the top of the basement stairs.

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As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our own efforts as REALTORS, as well as input from other REALTORS in our Coldwell Banker office.  I hope it has been of value to you.  Don’t hesitate to email us with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow home owners!
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