Law on gas detectors in homes starts Monday

Amanda's Law, designed to save lives from carbon monoxide poisoning, becomes effective in New York state on Monday.

It is a law that can't be policed, Capt. Todd R. DeMar of the Watertown Fire Department admits, but it is a law that could fuel civil litigation if someone dies in a house from the "silent killer."

Named for Amanda Hanson, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning Jan. 17, 2009, in West Seneca, the law requires that carbon monoxide detectors be installed and maintained in most residential structures throughout the state. Regardless of when they were constructed, all one- and two-family dwellings, condominiums and apartment buildings having carbon dioxide sources, including attached garages, must be equipped with the alarms.

Sources of the colorless and odorless gas include fuel-fired furnaces, gas water heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves, gas stoves, non-electric space heaters, gas dryers, charcoal grills, lawn mowers and snowblowers, gas-powered generators and automobiles. The gas circulates when fuels are improperly burned, or when vents in vehicles and generators are blocked.

"Small amounts of carbon monoxide over a long period of time or large amounts of carbon monoxide over a shorter period of time can be poisonous," the Firemen's Association of the State of New York warned in a press release.

Installation is required on all floors having sleeping rooms and on each floor containing a source of the deadly gas. Battery-operated and plug-in models are acceptable for homes, and can be purchased for about $20 each.

FASNY and Home Depot will be sponsoring clinics in central and western New York on the proper installation and maintenance of the alarms, in which batteries should be changed twice a year. No clinics are yet planned in the Watertown area, Capt. DeMar said, but his department welcomes inquiries at 785-7809 from residents of the city and the surrounding area.

Questions also can be directed to the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control at 1 (518) 474-4073.