Carbon Monoxide Detector Law in California
June 4, 2011, Submitted by: Ken Tweet
A new law in California, Senate Bill 183, will require all single family homes to have a carbon monoxide detector installed in their homes by July 1. No, there won’t be a new carbon monoxide police force created to check homes (our freedoms haven’t degraded that far yet…), but, you won’t be able to sell a home without one (just like you can’t sell a home today without smoke detectors).
Having a carbon monoxide detector makes good sense anyway, because the gas cannot be detected by your nose. It is a silent killer, a colorless odorless gas. You won’t know it until it’s too late, or worse, it could kill you in your sleep.
I have had a carbon monoxide detector for awhile now, and feel much more secure knowing that it is always sniffing the air, which is more at risk during the winter months when people are using their heaters, which could malfunction and give off carbon monoxide gas.
In the U.S., there are 480 deaths a year while 20,000 people are hospitalized.
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I used to have one of those carbon monoxide detectors that you plug into a wall socket, never have to replace batteries, bad idea. Even though this carbon monoxide detector beeped real loud when the power went off, I thought about what if you didn’t hear it and the power stayed off. I personally always recommend getting detectors that are battery operated like I have now and always use to best quality battery that has the latest expired date you can find.
People should also be aware that even in the summer if their hot water heaters or stoves are gas operated, anything powered by gas can malfunction or have a leak. Carbon monoxide detectors are as important as smoke detectors in homes that use gas or have fireplaces.
It’s the law in Oregon too. Ironically I have an all electric home and still am forced to have one. I don’t believe in them. this kind of technology is notorious for being ineffective or simply not working when you need them. More people die in home fires and most home fires are caused by careless disposal of cigarettes or from candles. We could save more lives if we outlawed candles. Yet we choose not to. Why? Most accidental deaths are a result of car accidents. about 25% of those deaths could be prevented if everyone was required to wear a helment. 50%-75% of those deaths could be prevented with helmets and five point seat belts. That’s a lot of lives. Why don’t we mandate it??? The simple answer is that it isn’t about saving lives and we all know our politicians are dishonest so I’m guessing someone got a payoff. Good luck with your detector but I’m choosing prevention so there will never be any CO to detect.
I agree regarding the probable political payoff, or lobbyist efforts versus donations… As most of us know, ‘follow the money’.