Nov 4, 2009 4:29 pm US/Eastern
Balt. Co. To Introduce Law Requiring CO Detectors
BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
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As more people are turning on their furnaces, Maryland health officials want to remind everyone to install or check their carbon monoxide detectors.
CBS
As more people are turning on their furnaces, Maryland health officials want to remind everyone to install or check their carbon monoxide detectors.
Andrea Fujii explains this comes as Baltimore County prepares to introduce new legislation to require some homes to have them.
With a simple beep, health officials say lives can be saved from carbon monoxide poisoning.
"Prevention of harm is the key," said Jim Smith, Baltimore County executive.
The Baltimore County Health Department is proposing a law that would require all rental properties to have carbon monoxide detectors.
"By the end of 2009, we will have transported twice as many patients to the hospital for exposure to carbon monoxide than we did in 2008," said Smith.
Health officials say detectors don't just go off with an elevated level of the gas, they go off when there's a high level for an extended period of time.
The proposal stems from three deaths in 2005 at the Cove Village Townhomes in Baltimore County and numerous injuries thereafter at the same complex.
Officials say as with most leaks, an appliance was the cause. So far this year, Baltimore County has transported more than 1,300 people to the hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Health officials say those risks can be avoided.
"If they have carbon monoxide at elevated levels over a certain period of time in their home that detector will detect it, and that will save their lives," said Dr. Gregory Branch, Baltimore County health director.
Even health officials admit detectors aren't always a top priority, but should be.
"It's only been like two months that I've had a carbon monoxide detector in my home because I never thought about it," said Smith.
But officials say hopefully a law requiring them in certain homes will combat the problem.
The new legislation will be voted on in December. Prince George's County and Ocean City already have similar laws.
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