Three California Girls Win Carbon Monoxide Awareness Poster Contest 

Kidde to Donate CO Alarms to Local Safe Kids Coalitions and Funds to Area
Boys & Girls Clubs

Mebane, NC, December 2011 – Sacramento siblings Mackenzie and Samantha Nelson and Fresno resident Anjolique Morales were recently honored for winning the statewide California Carbon Monoxide Awareness Poster Contest. Sponsored by the California State Firefighters’ Association, Safe Kids California and Kidde, the contest was created to raise awareness about the state’s new carbon monoxide (CO) alarm law and the dangers of CO.

Children created original artwork depicting the dangers of carbon monoxide and the steps people may take to protect their families. Three winners from each age category (6 to 7, 8 to 9, and 10 to 12) were chosen based on their ability to communicate the CO safety message clearly, as well as creativity.
“Raising awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide among children and their parents, in addition to making sure homes have working CO alarms installed, will go a long way in preventing devastating and often fatal CO poisoning in our state,” said Gene Gantt, executive director of the California State Firefighters’ Association (CSFA), a co-sponsor of California’s CO alarm law.

Kidde, the largest manufacturer of residential fire safety products, awarded each contest winner with a Nintendo Wii™, each local Safe Kids coalition with 100 battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms, and each affiliating Boys & Girls Club with a $200 cash donation for its assistance in promoting the contest. Because two winners were from Sacramento, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Sacramento received $400, and Safe Kids Greater Sacramento received 200 CO alarms, which will be donated to local families in need. In Fresno, the El Dorado Boys & Girls Club received a $200 donation, while Safe Kids Central Valley received 100 CO alarms. 

“You cannot see, smell or taste carbon monoxide, so the only safe way to detect the poisonous gas is with a working carbon monoxide alarm,” said Katie Smith, director of Safe Kids California. “In addition to the education provided through the poster contest, we want to make sure all families that need CO alarms have them.”

As of July 2011, most California homes, including rental properties, are required to have carbon monoxide alarms installed. Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of unintentional poisoning deaths in America. When fuel-burning appliances malfunction or are used improperly, dangerous levels of CO can build up in the home. U.S. census data report 74 percent of California housing uses some form of fossil fuel-burning heating that can generate carbon monoxide.

To see photos from the events and view the winning posters, visit http://www.casafehomes.org/news.html.

For details about the new law and approved CO alarms, please visit www.CASafeHomes.org.

About CA Safe Homes Coalition

The California Safe Homes Coalition was formed to bring together organizations who support continued education and awareness on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the importance of CO alarms, and who are committed to educating families on ways to help keep their family and home safer. 

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 Climate, Controls &  Security Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX), a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kidde.com

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