Kidde Joins Colorado's Governor as He Signs CO Alarm Law 

Kidde Donates 300 Alarms to Mark the Event

Mebane, NC, March 24, 2009 - At a fire station in downtown Denver, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed into law the "Lofgren and Johnson Families Carbon Monoxide Safety Act," making the state one of 19 to require carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in residences.  To mark the bill signing, Kidde donated 300 CO alarms to the Denver Fire Department for distribution to families in need.

The Colorado law is named for members of the Lofgren and Johnson families who died in CO poisonings last year.  Family members attended the bill signing and spoke of the need to protect loved ones from the “silent killer.”

“As this bill is entered into law, I encourage the citizens of Colorado to not become complacent,” said Barbara Moilien, mother of student Lauren Johnson who died in December. “Talk to your families across the country. Continue in your vigilance to purchase CO detectors – one for each floor of your home.”

Effective July 1, 2009, the law will require CO alarms to be installed within 15 feet of bedrooms in all newly constructed single and multifamily dwellings, in all existing homes that are offered for sale, and in rental dwellings upon change of occupancy. 
 
Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  The odorless, tasteless and colorless gas claims 500 lives and sends another 20,000 to the hospital each year.  The only safe way to detect this "silent killer" in your home is to install a working CO alarm, yet recent surveys show only about half of all US homes have one alarm.  Click here to learn more about carbon monoxide safety, alarm features, and what states currently require alarms in homes.