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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. John Siptroth
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Carbon monoxide alarm bill voted out of committee
Siptroth calls for a quick vote by the full House
HARRISBURG, Jan. 25 – A bill supported by state Rep. John Siptroth that would require the installation of a carbon monoxide alarm in all new construction and rental properties with phase-in requirements for existing homes was voted out of the House Appropriation Committee today.
Siptroth called for a vote by the full House as soon as possible on H.B. 1445.
"This bill is about saving lives," said Siptroth, D-Monroe/Pike. "Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of unintentional poisoning deaths in the country, and Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of carbon monoxide deaths. We have seen tragic results from carbon monoxide poisoning here in the Poconos."
Siptroth said four young friends died from carbon monoxide poisoning as they were fixing a house near Marshall's Creek in 2008. He said the deaths could have been prevented with a carbon monoxide detector. Stroudsburg resident Meg Watt, whose brother died in the 2008 accident, has campaigned for passage of the bill
Combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems, contain this odorless, colorless gas. People and animals in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces breathing carbon monoxide are prone to accidental poisoning from the fumes.
Nearly 73 percent of reported incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning occur in private homes.
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