Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detector

Edina, Minn., January 14, 2016 – The City of Edina’s Fire Rescue & Inspections Department reminds residents to test carbon monoxide alarms in their homes. During the month of January when many people using gas heaters, now is the time to take preventative action to ensure safety in the home.

Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel can be sources of carbon monoxide.

“This time of year, it’s especially important to remind yourself where your home’s carbon monoxide detectors are and check the back of each one to see if the detector is more than five to seven years old,” said Fire Marshal Jeff Siems. “Just like any other equipment, they have an expiration date and can go bad. In order to find the expiration date, look on back of detector and find the manufacture date, then add five to seven years. If you don’t see a sticker on the back, that means it’s a really old detector and you should probably replace it.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments have seen an increase of more than 39,000 cases involving carbon monoxide leaks. Several years ago, the Minnesota Health Department recorded 14 deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you are unable to check the batteries of your home’s carbon monoxide detectors, you can call the Edina Fire Department, 952-826-0330, and they will come and help you inspect and change the batteries.

For more information, contact Capt. Dave Schmitzer at 952-826-0330 or DSchmitzer@EdinaMN.gov.

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Dale Riley

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The City of Edina
4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424
mail@EdinaMN.gov 952-927-8861

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