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May 21, 2009 - National forecasters predict that the 2009 hurricane season will be "near-normal," but continue urging families to prepare for a potential emergency. Currently 35 million Americans live in the Atlantic hurricane zone. The widespread power outages that often accompany a major storm can prompt people to use alternative sources, such as gasoline-powered generators or grills. But when used improperly, these fuel-burning appliances can cause CO poisoning.

Washington, Maine & New Hampshire Leaders Approve Laws to Require CO Alarms
Since the end of April, legislators in three states have approved bills to require carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in residences, making the tally 22 states with these potentially life-saving laws. On April 30, Kidde representatives, as well as a coalition of supporters, joined Washington’s governor, Christine Gregoire, as she signed the state’s CO alarm bill. Effective January 1, 2011, the law will require alarms in all newly constructed residential dwellings and all single-family homes upon sale or transfer. Other residential dwellings (rental properties, dormitories, etc.) will be required to install alarms by January 1, 2013. Maine’s CO alarm law goes into effect in October 2009 and will require the installation of CO alarms in all newly constructed residences, as well as all existing rental properties and multi-family dwellings, and existing single-family homes upon sale. Additionally, the law includes a provision to install photoelectric smoke alarms within 20 feet of kitchens and bathrooms. Finally, at the end of April, New Hampshire’s Senate approved a bill that would require carbon monoxide alarms in new single- and multi-family homes, as well as in all rental dwellings.