Amanda's Law Takes Effect

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NEW YORKERS NOW MUST HAVE CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN THEIR HOMES

Governor David Paterson has announced that Amanda's Law, signed into law in August 2009, takes effect now. Amanda's Law mandates the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in all homes in New York State. The law is named after Amanda Hansen, 16, of West Seneca, New York, who died on January 17, 2009, reportedly due to a carbon monoxide leak from a defective boiler while she was sleeping at a friend's house.

"Today acts as important reminder for all New Yorkers to check that their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are installed properly and are in good working order," Governor Paterson said. "Ensuring the safety of New York's families is a responsibility I hold most dear, and this law will do its part to help prevent future tragedies involving carbon monoxide poisoning."

Under Amanda's Law, homes built before January 1, 2008, are permitted to have battery-powered CO alarms, while homes built after this date are required to have the alarms hard-wired into the building. Previously, only homes built or bought after July 30, 2002 were required to have these devices installed. Additionally, Amanda's Law will require contractors in New York State to install a CO alarm when replacing a hot water tank or furnace if the home is not equipped with an alarm.

State Fire Administrator Floyd Madison said: "Governor Paterson signed Amanda's Law to ensure that no needless tragedies happen for lack of a CO alarm. It's very simple: carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors save lives. CO poisoning is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the United States, and the Office of Fire Prevention and Control looks forward to working with local fire departments and code enforcement officers to ensure that New Yorkers have working alarms installed in their homes."

Additionally, Amanda's law requires existing one- and two-family residences to have at least one carbon monoxide alarm installed on the lowest floor of the building having a sleeping area. The alarm must be clearly audible in all sleeping areas over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.