Staying Warm is Good. Staying ALIVE is Better.
It is hard to imagine, especially after looking at the bright sunny sky framing the Rose Parade last week, that California was having a real cold spell (sorry Pasadena CofC). Interstate highways were closed because of snow and ice.... IN SOUTHERN California. It was cold.
All of this unseasonable weather had many bundling up and some using unconventional ways to heat their homes. As in the past, headlines from around the nation told of lives lost to Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is an odorless, colorless toxic gas created by the incomplete combustion of carbon. Fuel burning appliances such as heaters, stoves, ovens and water heaters to name several could be sources of these fumes if out of adjustment or poorly maintained and should be inspected to make sure that combustion is thorough and that venting of combustion gasses is complete.
Carbon monoxide is also produced by internal combustion engines - cars, lawn mowers, chain saws, weed trimmers. Need I suggest that these should not be run in enclosed areas and garages.
The recent news stories were of fatalities caused by burning charcoal (a particularly dangerous source of CO) in a house for heat. This one can be lethal even when burning charcoal in a fireplace.
So, why post about this now?
There is good news. California Realtor(R)s know that our State has passed legislation that will require CO detectors in all single family residential homes of 1 to 4 units that have either fuel-burning appliances and/or have attached garages effective in July of this year.
Clearly, there is no provision to inspect all homes, but where additions, repairs or modifications over $1000 are to be made, I understand that inspections will include CO detectors as a check-off item. More importantly, any home sale in California after July 1, 2010 will have to have CO detectors installed. Realtor(R)s need to pay attention immediately as this is now part of the Transfer Disclosure Statement that the seller provide.
Did you like what you Read?
to My Blog. THANK YOU!
It's All About YOU! Brad Rachielles, REALTOR, Upland, CA
Brad Rachielles, REALTOR. Helping Inland Empire Buyers and Sellers with their Real Estate needs in the Communities of: Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Claremont, Ontario, Chino, Chino Hills, Pomona and La Verne, CA.
Cell: 909-816-7333
Web Page: http://www.BradRachielles.com
e-Mail: bradrachielles@dslextreme.com
I would never think that people would burn charcoal in their home. But I guess there are people that would not think twice of that
Thanks for the valuable info. What starts in Cali seems to always catch on everywhere else.
Great Posting Brad! We need to help educate these points. Best wishes for the best in the New Year!
Thank you Brad for this excerpt. Very informative and enlightening. Man, southern Cali getting hit with some icy cold snaps.
Congrats to California for passing a much needed law. The Libertarians and others will scream about government intrusion in their lives once again.
Here's an idea. Let the Libertarians and their ilk pay for and attend the funerals of those who are killed by CO gas.
Too strong? I think not so much.
I have been poisoned by CO gas when I was little. At the last minutes we were all getting sick and my grandfather called the Fire Dept. and they knew what is was opened the house all was well.
Stan - Desperation clouds the mind.
John - Seems like a small thing, but if it saves lives...
rob & Jeanie S. - Thanks so much...
Ellen - The cold here is unususal and extreme measures to stay warm are not usually needed in SoCal.
Marc & Carey - I really feel for those areas that are REALLY cold.
Jon - I'm with you on praising CA on this one. Hope other states catch on to this one.
Tim - You were lucky. Had you gone to bed that night....
My parents burned charcoal and brickettes every day in the fireplace when I was growing up as we did not have a furnace to heat throughout (grew up in Japan). Not safe? Never hurt any of us.
What ever happened to personal responsibility and choice? We don't need laws to govern every single aspect of our lives. Next they'll want to legislate how many times we cut our toenails.
These things happen in CA more often than other places, probably because we generally have great weather and when we do have a cold snap, people aren't aware of the problems that can be caused by nonstandard forms of heating.
I'm glad to have a CO2 monitor in my home...it keeps me and my family safe. I'm sure people complained bitterly about "having" to have smoke detectors, and they can be a pain when they are too sensitive, but they have saved thousands of lives.
Personal responsibility is fine when knowledgeable and responsible adults are the ones involved, but cannot translate to risking the lives of children and pets who cannot control their environment. Why on earth would you NOT want a C02 detector, which costs less than $25 and can alert you to this odorless, tasteless, invisible and very deadly gas?
Brad CO detection is critical to not fall asleep and then die. GREAT point about what California is doing.
Barbara - construction in the US is significantly different. Count yourself very lucky. Others are happy to have this life saving device. I learned today that 16 other states have similarly enacted CO Poisoning protection as have dozens and dozens of our very biggest cities.
Sonsie - You're probably right about more frequent in CA. Thanks for sharing!
Gary - You clearly get it! Thanks for chiming in.
Gary,
Thanks for bringing this issue up.
Best of luck - staying alive.
Hi Brad, I know around here with rentals, there has to be a CO detector on every floor including the basement. I do the same in my home. We have 1 on each floor. Better safe than sorry.
Jackie, You make a good point... probably a good separate post about the placement of detectors. I'll do more reading. Thanks for taking time to comment.
Brad, CO2 detectors should be mandatory in every State. Looks like California is setting the precedence. Thanks for the info.
Good post and great information.....Nothing surprises me anymore.
Yes, staying alive is better!
Thank you,
Patricia/Seacoast Nh & ME
Michael - After posting this article, I saw that an ad in a big box store for one of the device manufacturers was indicating that 16 states and many of the largest cities now have legislation either in place or in process. Is there anything on the commercial real estate side with requirements?
Patricia - Appreciate your comments and support.