Officials urge use of fire, carbon monoxide detectors

They are simple appliances that have the potential to be a major lifesaving device -- a smoke/fire alarm and a carbon monoxide detector.

"Having a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors could save your life," is the message put out by Brockport's Code Enforcement Officer Scott Zarnstorff. And officials in Brockport have the unfortunate proof to back up those statements.

The week of October 18, Brockport firefighters and ambulances responded to a home in the village for an unknown odor in the home that was making the residents ill. When they arrived, they found levels of carbon monoxide in excess of 900 ppm and six people were taken to Lakeside Memorial Hospital suffering from various levels of symptoms from exposure.

The near tragedy could likely have been prevented had there been carbon monoxide detectors in the home. Zarnstorff said. "Having yearly maintenance on your heating system is a necessity but having detectors in place is a back up," he said. "But even with detectors in the house, you have to check them monthly to make certain they are operational."

Making sure fire/smoke detectors have working batteries and making sure they are not blocked by furniture or draperies is also important. "People also have to remember that detectors should be replaced every 10 years," he said.

Detectors don't normally come with dates on them so Zarnstorff recommends writing the date of purchase inside the detector. If you've moved into a home and there are detectors but they are yellowed and don't work well when tested, he recommends replacing them.

Fire/smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are required in homes within Brockport village, Zarnstorff said. He urges tenants to ask landlords where the detectors are located in the home and to test them to make sure they are operational.