AURORA, Ill., July 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- From coast to coast,
Americans across the country have been protected for years, thanks
to a wave of 2011 legislation initiatives that brought carbon
monoxide (CO) protection to the forefront of home safety. That
year, a dozen states enacted the 2009 International Residential
Code, which required CO alarms in newly constructed homes, or
enacted CO legislation of their own. Since then, countless lives
have been saved as a majority of states have followed suit with
similar legislation and code adoption.
However, alarms don't last forever, and seven years after this
groundbreaking legislation, First Alert, the most trusted brand in
home safety*, along with health and safety officials, have issued a
timely reminder to the public: the need to replace CO alarms as
they approach expiration. Affected states where alarms may be
reaching their end-of-life include California, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, New
Mexico, North Dakota,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
"We all have busy lives and other priorities, so it's easy to
take life-saving measures like installing CO alarms for granted
once they've been implemented," said Tarsila Wey, director of marketing for First
Alert, a leader in residential fire and CO detection devices. "The
anniversary of these bills is a timely reminder of the importance
of protecting what matters most, and an ideal opportunity for us to
celebrate the lives that have been saved over the past seven years
by making safety a top priority."
Known as the "silent killer," CO is a colorless and odorless gas
that is impossible to detect without a sensing device. According to
the Journal of the American Medical Association, CO poisoning is a
leading cause of accidental poisoning in the United States and is responsible for an
average of 450 deaths each year. Any fuel burning appliance,
including heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, appliances and cooking
sources using coal, wood, or petroleum products, are all potential
sources of CO. It's critical to have appliances inspected by
certified licensed technicians, educate loved ones on the dangers
of carbon monoxide, and develop a family escape plan in the event
of a CO emergency.
CO poisoning can cause symptoms such as nausea, headaches,
dizziness, chest pain and vomiting that mimic those of many other
illnesses, making it difficult to diagnose. In severe poisoning
cases, victims can experience disorientation, unconsciousness,
long-term neurological disabilities, cardio respiratory failure or
death.
While alarm lifespans may vary by model and manufacturer, back
in 2011, a properly maintained CO alarm had a lifespan of
approximately five to seven years. Therefore, CO alarms installed
when these new codes came into effect are likely now due for
replacement. As an extra safety measure, most First Alert CO alarms
feature end-of-life warning to alert residents to the need for
replacement. The end-of-life signal differs significantly from the
85-decibel horn heard in an emergency or during regular testing of
the alarm. It also differs from the low-battery chirp, and usually
consists of 3-5 short sounds. Check the back of the alarm, as well
as the alarm's user manual, for specific information on these
different signals.
"If you can't think of the last time you installed a smoke or
carbon monoxide alarm, chances are, it's time to replace your old
ones," Wey said. "Installing new alarms, testing them regularly and
having and practicing an escape plan are important measures you can
take to help protect your family and home. First Alert offers the
most advanced CO sensing technologies and latest safety features
available, in hardwired, wall mount plug-in and tabletop
versions."
The last few years have seen significant advancements in
technology, extending the lifespans of some to CO alarms to 10
years. First Alert offers 10-year sealed battery CO alarms that
eliminate the need for battery replacements. First Alert's
extensive safety portfolio also includes other CO alarm models to
meet the needs of any household. For example, battery-powered
tabletop models like the CO710 feature a 10-year battery and
digital temperature display, with an easy-to-read, backlit LED
screen. Other options offer both smoke and CO protection, such as
the PRC710V, which offers voice alerts to inform consumers of the
location of the specific danger. Another option is the plug-in
CO605 model, which plugs into any standard electrical outlet, and
offers a battery back-up in case of power outages.
In addition to replacing CO alarms as they reach expiration, Wey
recommends the following tips and tools for keeping yourself and
loved ones safer from the dangers of carbon monoxide:
Important Safety Steps
- Install alarms. CO alarms are the only way to detect
this poisonous gas. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
recommends installing alarms on every level of the home and near
each sleeping area for maximum protection. Also make sure the
alarms are installed at least 15 feet away from sources of CO to
reduce the possibility of nuisance alarms. It is also important to
test alarm monthly and change batteries every six months, unless
the alarm is powered by a sealed, 10-year battery.
- Test alarms regularly. All First Alert alarms are
equipped with a test/silence button for easy testing.
- Never use generators indoors. In the case of a power
outage, portable electric generators must be used outside only (at
least 15 feet from your home). Never use them inside the home, in a
garage or in any confined area that can allow CO to collect. And,
be careful to follow operating instructions closely. Also, refrain
from using charcoal grills, camp stoves and other similar devices
indoors.
- Be mindful of the garage. Never leave a vehicle running
inside an attached garage, even if the door is open, it is
hazardous, as CO can leak into the home.
- Have fuel-burning appliances inspected
regularly. Arrange for a professional inspection of all
fuel-burning appliances (such as furnaces, stoves, fireplaces,
clothes dryers, water heaters and space heaters) annually.
- Call 911. If an alarm sounds, leave the home immediately
and move to fresh air. Then call 911 and do not go back into the
home until the home is inspected and cleared.
First Alert provides a legislation map on its website that
indicates when every state's carbon monoxide law took effect. For
more information on fire and carbon monoxide safety, visit
www.firstalert.com.
*First Alert Brand Trust Survey, February 2018 – Results are based on the
responses of 1,000 adults, ages 25 and older, living in
the United States who completed an
online survey, February 15-19, 2018.
Results are statistically significant at a 95 percent confidence
level and can be generalized to the entire adult population in
the United States within those
statistical parameters. For more information or a copy of the
complete survey results, contact Tim
Young at LCWA: 312/565-4628 or
tyoung@lcwa.com.
About BRK Brands, Inc.
BRK Brands, Inc.
(Aurora, IL), is a fully owned
subsidiary of Newell Brands. For 60
years, BRK Brands, Inc. has been the manufacturer of First
Alert®-branded home-safety products, the most trusted
and recognized safety brand in America. BRK® Brands
designs and develops innovative safety solutions including
Tundra™ Fire Extinguishing Spray, Onelink by First Alert
smart home products, a comprehensive line of smoke alarms, carbon
monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders to protect
what matters most. Such products are also marketed under the
BRK Electronics® brand, The Professional Standard for
the builder and contractor audiences. BRK Brands, Inc.
products are found in more than 30 countries worldwide. For
more information, visit
http://www.firstalert.com,
http://www.brkelectronics.com or
http://www.newellbrands.com.
About Newell Brands
Newell Brands (NYSE: NWL) is a leading global
consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known
brands, including Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®,
Elmer's®, Coleman®, Jostens®, Marmot®, Rawlings®, Oster®, Sunbeam®,
FoodSaver®, Mr. Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®,
Baby Jogger®, NUK®, Calphalon®, Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, First
Alert®, Waddington and Yankee Candle®. For hundreds of millions of
consumers, Newell Brands makes life
better every day, where they live, learn, work and play.
This press release and additional information about
Newell Brands are available on the
company's
website, http://www.newellbrands.com.
©2018 BRK Brands, Inc., Aurora,
IL 60504. All rights reserved.
BRK Electronics® is a registered trademark of BRK
Brands, Inc., Aurora, IL
60504.
NYSE is a registered service mark of NYSE Group, Inc.
Contacts: Hunter Hackett
or Tim Young
L.C. Williams & Associates
P: 312-565-3900 or 800-837-7123
E: hhackett@lcwa.com or tyoung@lcwa.com
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SOURCE First Alert