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From Atlanta to Zebulon, Georgians have been protected against the threat of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning for years, thanks to the Georgia State Minimum Standard Building Code, which implemented CO protection measures statewide in 2009. Since then, CO alarms have helped save countless lives from the dangers of this invisible, odorless and potentially fatal gas.
With the passage of the Georgia State Minimum Standard Building Code, the “Peach State ‘’ began requiring CO alarms to be installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms in all newly constructed one and two-family dwellings and townhomes not more than three stories.
Now, more than 14 years after Georgia’s first CO alarm requirements were enacted, First Alert, the most trusted brand in fire safety, is partnering with fire departments and safety organizations across the country to bring awareness to the importance of replacing alarms before they expire.
“These CO alarm requirements marked a turning point in protection for Georgia residents,” said Ashley Gocken, a First Alert home safety expert with Resideo Technologies, Inc. “This anniversary highlights how crucial it is to replace expiring alarms in order to detect this poisonous gas and help to provide early warning.”
Carbon monoxide alarms are the only way to detect this poisonous gas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50,000 emergency department visits and approximately 450 deaths are attributed to accidental CO poisoning in the U.S. each year, making it the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the country. CO can be produced by any fuel-burning device, including heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, appliances and cooking sources using coal, wood or petroleum products. It’s critical to have appliances inspected by certified licensed technicians, educate loved ones on the dangers of CO and learn what to do in case a CO alarm sounds.
CO poisoning can cause symptoms such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, chest pain and vomiting that mimic those of many other illnesses, making it difficult to diagnose. In severe poisoning cases, victims can experience disorientation, unconsciousness, long-term neurological disabilities, cardiorespiratory failure or death.
While alarm lifespans may vary by model and manufacturer, when Georgia enacted its first CO alarm requirements, a properly maintained CO alarm had a lifespan of approximately five to seven years. Therefore, CO alarms installed when Georgia enacted these requirements are again due for replacement.
CO alarm options include the 10-Year Sealed Battery Tabletop Alarm with Temperature Display, 2-in-1 10-Year Sealed Battery Combination Alarms for both smoke and CO protection, as well as plug-in CO alarms with battery backup.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends installing alarms on every level of the home and near each sleeping area for maximum protection. Also, make sure the alarms are installed at least 15 feet away from sources of CO to reduce the possibility of nuisance alarms.
Alarms should be tested regularly and change batteries every six months, unless the alarm is powered by a sealed, 10-year battery.
- Contributed