Many unaware of N.Y. CO detector law

BUFFALO, N.Y., March 2 (UPI) -- Nearly half of New York state families are unaware a year-old law requires a carbon monoxide alarm in the home, a survey found.

The survey, conducted in January by DecisionAnalyst on behalf of Kidde, a manufacturer of fire and CO safety products, found about one-fifth of the city's residents have acquired a CO detector since the enactment of "Amanda's Law" -- which requires that a CO detector be installed in every dwelling on the lowest level that has bedrooms.

Prior to "Amanda's Law," state law required carbon monoxide detectors only in homes built or sold after July 30, 2002. The current statue was named after Amanda Hansen, who died of CO poisoning at age 16 from a defective boiler while sleeping at a friend's house in January 2009.

"The pain of losing a child is the hardest thing a family could ever experience -- especially when it could have been prevented," Amanda's father, Ken Hansen, says in a statement. "For just $20, you can get a CO alarm to help protect the ones you love."

About 200 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with home fuel-burning heating equipment, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says.

No survey details were provided.