Article Contributed on: 6/19/2009 1:25:28 PM
After the recent tragic deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning, a local group is hoping to encourage Parker residents to buy detectors that could save their lives.
The Mountain Pine Woman's Club, based in Parker, is working to raise community awareness about carbon monoxide gas in homes and a new law which goes into effect July 1, said Lisa Zeiher, chair of the club's public relations committee.
The deaths of the Lofgren family in Aspen last November and a DU student in January sparked an effort by family and friends of the victims to advocate for a law to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning deaths.
House Bill 1091 requires that new homes and homes put up for sale have carbon monoxide alarms on each floor of the property. Rental properties are also required to add the alarms.
Zeiher, a real estate agent, first learned of the new law through her work. In talking to people, she realized there was a lack of awareness in the community about carbon monoxide danger.
"We want to keep people safe by making them more aware," she said.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by a malfunction of a furnace, gas stove, hot water heater or other fuel-burning appliance. It is invisible and odorless, but a high level of the gas can kill a person in minutes, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, headaches, nausea and fatigue.
It is recommended that people install carbon monoxide detectors within 15 feet of their bedroom, Zeiher said.
The Mountain Pine Woman's Club will have a booth at the Parker Farmers' Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 28 to hand out pamphlets about the new law and how residents can protect their families. The club will have carbon monoxide detectors available for sale, from $19 for a basic model to $42 for a combination smoke/CO detector.
The club also will have a drawing for a free detector and is raising funds to provide a few detectors to families in the area who cannot afford them, Zeiher said.