Higgins Hails Passage of Home Safety Legislation
Legislation Mirrors NYS’s Amanda’s Law Lead By West Seneca Family
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1796 – the Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, federal legislation which both mandates that all new carbon monoxide detectors meet a widely-accepted standard for carbon monoxide detection and creates a program to educate the public about prevention measures. This legislation mirrors New York State’s Amanda’s Law—named after West Seneca native Amanda Hansen a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning—the strongest carbon monoxide legislation in the country, which became state law in February 2010.
“Each year carbon monoxide poisoning causes over 20,000 hospitalizations and 400 unexpected deaths, a devastating event that can and should be prevented,” said Congressman Higgins. “Thanks to the advocacy of West Seneca residents Kim and Ken Hansen who experienced the horrors of carbon monoxide poisoning first hand, this law sets a national standard for carbon monoxide detection that will help prevent these unexpected tragedies and keep all American families and consumers safe.”
“This is great news for families everywhere. I know my daughter would be proud right now knowing that we are saving other lives,” said Ken Hansen, father of Amanda Hansen, the namesake of New York State’s Amanda’s Law. “I know this will never bring my daughter back but it will help me sleep knowing that another child won’t die from this silent killer.”
New York and other cold weather states face a higher level of carbon monoxide poisoning because of their use of heating appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, and generators. The legislation requires that all new carbon monoxide detectors meet the widely-accepted American National Standards Institute/Underwriters Laboratory (ANSI/UL) standard for carbon monoxide detection.
Additionally, it establishes a pilot program under the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to provide grants to states to inform citizens of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, encourage citizens to put detectors in their homes to avoid poisoning, and provide detectors to residents. Furthermore, the legislation requires that a warning label be printed on portable generators that indicating that they produce carbon monoxide and should be used outside with proper ventilation.
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