New legislation would require carbon monoxide detectors in residential buildings.
Already, owners of residential buildings are required to install smoke detectors. Senator Bob Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie) explains that his bill would require those same owners to install carbon monoxide detectors.
" Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide kills by robbing the body of oxygen."
Just this month, four people died while camping outside the Alliant Energy Center in Madison awaiting the World's Clydesdale Show . Investigators say they were overcome by carbon monoxide fumes from a space heater. While their horse trailer would NOT be effected by this bill, experts say it's wise for everyone to have a C-O detector, which warns of carbon monoxide in the air before it's too late.
"According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission every year over 200 people in the United States die from carbon monoxide produced by fuel-burning appliances, and several thousand go to hospital emergency rooms for treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning."
Wirch says his bill ( SB-289 ) contains penalties for non-compliance. For the first offense, there will be a warning. For the second offense, there will be a $50.00 fine for each day of violation.
NOTE: The Committee on Small Business, Emergency Preparedness, Workforce Development, Technical Colleges and Consumer Protection held a hearing at the capitol on Wednesday.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:25 MP3)
