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Underwriters Laboratories and New York City Fire Department Partner For National Fire Safety Month

NORTHBROOK, Ill., - Oct. 1, 2004 - Safety experts from Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the not-for-profit product safety testing organization, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and the FDNY Fire Safety Education Fund are teaming up to inform New York City residents about the new carbon monoxide (CO) law as well as how to select and install CO alarms.

During the first week of October, FDNY and UL will feature public demonstrations and exhibits to provide information about fire safety and CO alarms, including events at Rockefeller Center on Oct. 5 and MetroTech Center on Oct. 7.

The awareness campaign during October, National Fire Safety Month, will help residents prepare for new city rules on CO alarms. Beginning in November, Local Law #7 for 2004 requires at least one CO alarm within 15 feet of sleeping rooms in most private houses, apartments, co-ops, condominiums, and dormitories. The law also requires that CO alarms bear the UL Mark, which indicates the alarm meets nationally recognized safety standards.

John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for UL, explains that CO is a by-product of fossil fuels. "When these appliances aren't adequately ventilated or completely burn their fuel, CO poisoning symptoms can occur," he says. "Theses symptoms resemble the flu: nausea, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, breathing difficulty and confusion. Untreated, CO poisoning can cause death. Dangerous levels of CO can build up in any apartment, condominium or house that has fuel-burning appliances."

Each year in the United States more than 500 people die from unintentional CO poisoning. In the first two months of 2004, CO killed four people in New York City. Also, CO exposure and poisoning sent many New York residents to hospitals for emergency treatment and required several buildings to be evacuated. The new city ordinance takes effect just in time for the winter heating season.

The best way to prevent CO poisoning is detection, says Drengenberg. "A CO alarm detects elevated levels of the gas and warns you and your family of a potential poisoning risk."

UL also recommends these CO preventive measures:

  • Have a qualified technician inspect your fuel-burning appliances and chimneys to ensure they operate correctly and that nothing blocks the vapors from being vented out of the house.
  • Install a UL-Listed CO alarm according to the manufacturer's instructions and at least 10 feet away from fuel-burning appliances and outside of sleeping areas.
  • Test your CO alarm at least once a month and replace the battery at least once a year.
  • Make sure all family members know the difference between the sound of the CO alarm and the smoke alarm.
  • Never ignore a CO alarm. If your CO alarm sounds, immediately operate the reset/silence button and call your fire department or 9-1-1.
  • Move to fresh air, either outside or to an open window or door. Account for every household member.
  • Don't re-enter your home or move away from the open door or window until the emergency services have arrived, the home is sufficiently aired out and the CO alarm doesn't reactivate.
  • If your CO alarm reactivates within a 24-hour period, repeat the steps above and call a qualified technician to examine your appliances and make any appropriate repairs.

"UL and the FDNY make a great team in this effort to help consumers learn how to buy, install and maintain CO alarms," concludes Drengenberg. "UL's experience in public safety and consumer products complements the fire protection expertise of the FDNY and broadens the scope of information shared with New York City residents. UL is pleased to be part of this public safety effort."

For more information about New York City's CO alarm regulation go to www.nyc.gov/buildings.

About Underwriters Laboratories

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, not-for-profit product safety certification organization that has been testing products for more than 110 years. UL tests more than 18,850 types of products annually, and more than 19 billion UL Marks appear on products each year. Worldwide, UL's family of companies and its network of service providers inclue 60 laboratories, and testing and certification facilities.

The FDNY Fire Safety Education Fund provides support for educational and public awareness programs designed to reduce the incidence of serious fires and fire fatalities for both civilians and firefighters. For more information, go to www.FDNYfirezone.org.

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