Lawbreaker

Dear Doug,

What’s this new law about Carbon Monoxide Detectors? We own our home and we own a duplex rental. How do we comply?

–Law-Abiding Citizen

Dear Citizen,

You declare yourself law-abiding, but apparently you haven’t installed a Carbon Monoxide Detector. You are now an outlaw in your own home.

Take note, Citizen: The new law is in two parts. One part is for homeowners, the other for rental property owners.

Homeowners were required to have installed Carbon Monoxide Detectors in their homes by July 1, 2011. That’s almost two months ago.

Rental property owners must install Carbon Monoxide Detectors in their rental properties by January 1, 2013. That’s over a year from now.

Any property containing an appliance or heater that burns fuel of any kind (wood, gas, oil, charcoal, coal; anything that burns) must comply. Think heaters, water heaters, dryers, fireplaces, and the like.

To the important questions:

  1. Where exactly in each home or rental unit should Carbon Monoxide Detectors be installed?
  2. Unfortunately the law doesn’t speak to exact placement of the Detectors. The Fire Department recommends installing Detectors centrally located outside of all bedroom areas in the house, and on all floors of multi-story homes, including basements.
  3. Both plug-in and ceiling-mounted models of Detectors are on the market. Is it okay to plug the Detectors in at floor level?
  4. Carbon Monoxide is “neutrally buoyant” in air, slightly lighter than air, so it builds slowly. Therefore, a floor-level Detector will work theoretically, but might not be advisable because it could be dislodged or tampered with more easily. Kids or dogs or stumbling people are likely culprits. Many varieties of ceiling-mounted models are available, including combination Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.
  5. What’s the big deal with Carbon Monoxide?
  6. Unfortunately, there are far too many cases of Carbon Monoxide poisonings and deaths. The gas is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It disorients its victims, puts them to sleep, and eventually kills them, when all they need is some fresh air.

Take note, Citizen: You have been exposed here as a law-breaker. I crack easily under pressure of interrogation, so your identity is in jeopardy. Do us both a favor, and get right with the law, okay?