House Passes Bill Creating Grant Program to Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Homes

House Passes Bill Creating Grant Program to Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms in Homes

The bill’s passage, which would give grants to elderly and low-income residents, came after the House of Representatives approved a bill that requires carbon monoxide detectors in public housing.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • Sep 20, 2019

In its second recent action to address carbon monoxide poisoning, the House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday that would create a new grant program to install carbon monoxide alarms in the homes of elderly and low-income people as well as schools and other public buildings.

The Zachary and Nicholas Burt Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act would also provide incentives for states to pass laws requiring carbon monoxide alarms in residences. The bill is named after two Minnesota brothers who died from poisoning in 1995. Their parents have been advocating for Congressional action on the issue for over two decades.

“As a mother, I know there is nothing more important than keeping our children and loved ones safe,” said Rep. Ann Kuster, a Democrat from New Hampshire who introduced the bill with Republican Rep. Buddy Carter of Georgia. “This legislation will help save lives by combatting deadly yet entirely preventable carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Earlier this month, the House also approved a bill requiring detectors in public housing after more than a dozen residents died from poisoning in the last 16 years. There are over 400 deaths and 20,000 emergency room visits caused by carbon monoxide poisoning each year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Companion measures for the public housing and grant program bills have already been introduced in the Senate. During her remarks on the bill, Kuster said the legislation is proof that Congress can work together to find common ground during divisive times.

“I’m thrilled to see this commonsense measure pass the House and I urge the Senate to bring it swiftly to a vote and protect our most vulnerable citizens,” Kuster said in a statement.

Kuster’s bill was supported by the Security Industry Association, which represents more than 1,000 companies specializing in safety and security technology solutions. Those companies include manufacturers and installers of carbon monoxide alarms and detection devices, the SIA said in a press release.

 

"Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Kuster, this bipartisan legislation provides much-needed resources to states seeking funding relief for carbon monoxide detector installation," SIA CEO Don Erickson said in a statement. "Carbon monoxide detectors help saves lives – we commend the passage of H.R. 1618 and hope the Senate takes swift action to pass this critical legislation."

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

  • Access Control Technology

    As we move swiftly toward the end of 2024, the security industry is looking at the trends in play, what might be on the horizon, and how they will impact business opportunities and projections. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction. 3

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3