Carbon Monoxide Detectors Now Mandatory In Homes
New home owners in Maine must now prove that their house has a carbon monoxide detector.
A new Maine law is designed to reduce the risk of poisoning by carbon monoxide. The colorless, odorless, and invisible gas is a byproduct of burning fuel such as oil, propane, coal, and wood, and is extremely dangerous. On average, 400 people die annually in the United States with another 1,500 injured due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
The new law, known as “An Act To Protect Maine Residents from Home Fires and Carbon Monoxide,” covers apartment buildings and single and multi-family homes. Roughly 9,000 of the state’s 450,000 homes are bought and sold each year. Currently, 30 of the 50 U.S. States have some sort of requirement for carbon monoxide testing.
Economic concerns are at the foundation of the new law, as tough financial times could lead to the neglect of a furnace or failure to purchase a carbon monoxide detector. Henceforth, home sales now include a declaration that must be signed by the purchaser stating that the home does indeed have a carbon monoxide detector. Also included in the law are homes under rental agreements and month-to-month leases. A carbon monoxide detector can cost as little as $20.
In Maine, over the past five years, there has been an increase in carbon monoxide poisoning. The new law was enacted to help reduce the risk of preventable fatalities across the state and has been a welcome addition by the Maine State Police and code enforcement officers. By following the law, you will not only avoid being penalized upwards of $500 dollars, you will also potentially save the life of a loved one.
For more information on the new “Act To Protect Maine Residents from Home Fires and Carbon Monoxide” please visit:
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP021201.pdf
