Missoula County, with the help of local fire districts and departments, is giving out free carbon monoxide detectors to raise awareness about the dangers of this colorless, odorless gas.
Carbon monoxide (CO) can be emitted from furnaces, stoves and water heaters in homes, RVs and mobile homes. Any enclosed space is susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning, especially during the winter.
Carbon monoxide poisoning kills more than 400 Americans each year, and in 2021, more than 17,000 hospital emergency room cases were due to CO poisoning. According to the CDC, Montana ranks third in the nation for CO-related deaths per capita. These deaths and illnesses are easily preventable with CO detectors, which notify residents when the gas is present.
Thanks to generous donations from NorthWestern Energy, the Bonner Mill and the Missoula County Building Division, members of the public can now pick up free carbon monoxide detectors for their homes, while supplies last. Dave Larkin, building official for the County, stressed that all types of housing should have a detector.
“There is no reason anyone in our community should be dying from carbon monoxide poisoning,” Larkin said. “This campaign was borne out of a hope to save lives and increase awareness of this deadly gas.”
Larkin has about 160 detectors and will be buying more with monetary donations. The Missoula and Frenchtown Rural fire districts have offered to help distribute the detectors to rural areas of the county. Carbon monoxide detectors are battery-operated, easy to install and are available at local retailers for about $20 each.
Contact the Missoula County Building Division at 406-258-3701 for more information about how to pick up a detector.
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