Kidde and Safe Kids Join to Provide Colorado Families with 1,000 Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Kidde Residential & Commercial has joined with Safe Kids coalitions across Colorado to remind families about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and the recently enacted Lofgren and Johnson Families Carbon Monoxide Safety Act.  To help raise awareness, Kidde donated 1,000 carbon monoxide alarms to Safe Kids coalitions for distribution in homes throughout the state.

To kick-off the awareness campaign, Kidde donated the first 105 CO alarms to Safe Kids Denver Metro for the “Hot Times Kool Cars” event on August 30 in Arvada. Created to benefit The Children’s Hospital burn unit, the family event was sponsored by KOOL 105 and other local organizations. The first 105 families to visit the Safe Kids Denver Metro booth received a free battery-operated CO alarm for their home. The remaining 895 alarms will be distributed later this month to more than a dozen Safe Kids coalitions and member agencies across Colorado for installation in low-income homes.

“Kidde is proud to work with Safe Kids to help get CO alarms into the homes of Colorado families,” said Chris Rovenstine, vice president of Kidde R&C.  “We applaud Colorado for passing the Lofgren and Johnson Families Carbon Monoxide Safety Act and are honored to help raise awareness of this life-saving legislation.”

The law, which went into effect July 1, requires all newly constructed single- and multi-family homes to have a CO alarm installed within 15 feet of bedrooms.  Homeowners who sell their residence and existing rental property owners upon change of occupancy also must follow this requirement.

Colorless, odorless, and tasteless, carbon monoxide is often referred to as “the silent killer,” and is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Produced when any fuel is burned, carbon monoxide is emitted by common fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and stoves.  Additional sources may include improperly ventilated generators, space heaters, fireplaces, barbecue grills, and car exhaust.

Families who cannot afford to purchase a carbon monoxide alarm may contact their local Safe Kids coalition. To find a coalition or to learn more about the new law and how to protect your family from carbon monoxide, visit www.COAlarmLaw.com