MCFD Volunteers Teach Fire Safety at Lowes
Mar 26, 2010 - 05:14 pm
On Saturday, February 20th, 2010, from 10:00am-1:30pm, volunteers of the Moyers Corners Fire Department gathered together at Lowe’s on Route 31 in Clay in order to teach the public about fire prevention as well as inform them of the deadly gas, carbon monoxide.
With the new “Amanda’s Law” going into effect on February 22nd, 2010, they thought it was an appropriate time to share with everyone just how dangerous carbon monoxide can be. The law was named after a 16-year-old, West Seneca, New York teen, Amanda Hansen, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning on January 17th, 2009 while sleeping over at a friend’s home. It is believed that a malfunctioning boiler that was discharging carbon monoxide is the cause of Hansen’s death. Since carbon monoxide is a tasteless and odorless gas, and nearly impossible to notice on your own, the best way to ensure your families’ safety is by placing carbon monoxide detectors in your homes. The new law requires all homes, regardless of when they were built to have at least one carbon monoxide detector in the lowest level with a sleeping area. “Amanda’s Law” will require contractors in the State of New York to install a carbon monoxide alarm when replacing a hot water tank or furnace if the home does not already have one.
Under “Amanda’s Law,” homes built before January 1st, 2008 are allowed to have battery-operated Carbon monoxide alarms, while homes built after this date are required to have the alarms hard-wired into the building.
The members of the Moyers Corners Fire Department spent an afternoon educating both employees, as well as members of the community about the new law. MCFD provided the public with information and fliers, which included free brochures on “Amanda’s Law,” as well as an explanation as to what carbon monoxide is. The members supplied the children with things such as coloring books, pencils and hats. They also teamed up with the employees of Lowe’s to plan a “learn as you grow” clinic. In this specific workshop the children were able to use the material that was provided by Lowe’s in order to build their very own red fire truck!
Carbon Monoxide can be produced in several ways, and it can take a life away in minutes. You must be cautious when you are burning any type of fuel including propane, kerosene, oil, wood or natural gas, as these are all ways that emit carbon monoxide.
When someone inhales this deadly gas at damaging levels it can lead to breathing difficulties, impaired judgment, brain damage, and even death. There are many symptoms associated with exposure to the gas, and they include: dizziness, weakness, fatigue, headache, vomiting and confusion. Unfortunately, by the time someone realizes there is a problem; they are often time to sick or “too disoriented” to get out of the house, which is why the installation of a carbon monoxide detector is being highly stressed upon.
Carbon monoxide detectors sell for about twenty dollars, and they are not a replacement for a smoke alarm. It is very important that your home has both life-saving systems installed, and working properly. Bryan Mather, Fire Prevention Coordinator of the Moyers corners Fire Department says, “I can only hope that every person has at least one smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in their home, it can, and it does save lives.”