MINNESOTA RESIDENTS URGED,

“DON’T WAIT ‘TIL IT’S TOO LATE”

Homeowners required to install carbon monoxide alarms beginning August 1

MEBANE, NC, July 30, 2008 – While the winter heating season may seem far away, it will only be a few months before residents throughout Minnesota prepare to turn on furnaces and light their fireplaces – two of the leading sources of carbon monoxide (CO). This year, however, they will have some added protection against CO, a deadly gas that kills more than 2,000 people nationwide every year.

A new law signed in 2006 (MN SB 299F.50) requires approved CO alarms in all residences throughout the state.  The law’s first tier, which required CO alarms in newly constructed single- and multi-family dwellings, went into effect January 1, 2007. The second tier goes into effect August 1 of this year, and requires all existing single family homes to have one or more properly installed and functional carbon monoxide alarms.  

“Don’t wait ‘til it’s too late to protect your family from the danger of CO,” said Minnesota resident, Cheryl Burt, who lost her two sons to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in 1996. “Installing CO alarms now could save your own life, or the life of someone you love.”

The only safe way to detect this odorless, tasteless, invisible gas in your home is with a carbon monoxide alarm.

Safety experts recommend installing CO alarms on every level of the home and in sleeping areas. CO alarms with a digital display report the level of CO present, while a peak memory feature will tell emergency personnel how high the level of CO was so that victims can be treated appropriately. Units with battery backup also will protect families during power outages.

Experts encourage everyone to have their furnaces and fireplaces inspected before cold weather starts and not to use un-vented gasoline or kerosene space heaters or generators inside the home. In addition, residents should remember not to warm up cars in attached garages or near doors or windows where exhaust fumes can enter the home and to never operate gasoline fueled snow-blowers in enclosed spaces.

The final tier of the law occurs next year, August 1, 2009, and will require all existing multi-family dwellings to have CO alarms. 

For more information on Minnesota’s law, how to choose an alarm, or CO safety tips, visit www.knowaboutCO.com.

About Kidde
As the world’s largest manufacturer of fire safety products, Kidde’s mission is to provide solutions that protect people and property from the effects of fire and its related hazards. For more than 90 years industry leaders, the military, airlines and firefighters have relied on Kidde to deliver superior fire detection and suppression. Consumers will find that same advanced fire safety technology in Kidde's residential and commercial smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and other life safety products.  Based in Mebane, NC, Kidde is part of UTC Fire and Security, which provides fire safety and security solutions to more than one million customers worldwide.  Headquartered in Connecticut, UTC Fire & Security is a business unit of United Technologies Corp., which provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries worldwide.  More information can be found at www.utcfireandsecurity.com.

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