House Bill 351 "Carbon Monoxide Detection Devices"
Click for PDF: http://www.akdemocrats.org/sponsor/HB351_ss_rep_gruenberg.pdfThe recent deaths of all five members of an Anchorage family from carbon monoxide poisoning in their home has prompted introduction of House Bill 351 that will require carbon monoxide detectors to be installed and maintained in most Alaskan homes. This bill adds carbon monoxide detection devices to the requirement in Alaska state statute (AS 18.70.095) that homeowners install and maintain smoke detectors and adds that landlords shall install the devices to be maintained by their tenants.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in America annually, claiming the lives of 1,500-2,000 people in the United States and hospitalizing an additional 10,000. Also, continuous exposure to low levels of carbon monoxide can compromise the efficiency of young children's brains in processing information.
Carbon monoxide detectors are essential because carbon monoxide is invisible to the human senses—it is odorless, tasteless, colorless, and non-irritating. Without a carbon monoxide alarm, one doesn’t know they’re being poisoned.
Representatives Carl Gatto and Max Gruenberg have co-introduced this bill in order to help save Alaskan lives and to prevent long-term illnesses in children.
Extras: HB351 bill root