Every home should have a working smoke alarms in key areas within the home. This has been an important ongoing message from MySafe:LA, your Los Angeles Fire Department, the Home Safety Council, and other fire and life safety organizations.

Now, a new law is going into effect. On July 1, 2011, not only will your home need to have working smoke alarms, but carbon monoxide alarms as well. It's the law.

California is joining 34 other states in mandating that every home have working smoke & carbon monoxide alarms. And while it's not likely that the police will come knocking on your door, your safety is at stake.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a by-product of fossil fuel combustion (such as gas, oil, or even coal). Your stove, a fuel heater, and your fireplace are typical places where CO can originate. Your automobile is another source for CO! Make certain you switch off the ignition of all vehicles once you enter the garage. The gas is generated by incomplete combustion of the primary fuel. It's very dangerous because it cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. As a result, you can become ill or die without realizing the danger! Many people call CO the "silent killer."

Every year, approximately 450 people die as a result of CO poisoning. More than 21,000 people are dangerously exposed to CO.

Once you've been exposed to CO, you're likely to initially suffer flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, light-headedness, and vomiting. Every living mammal is at risk for CO poisoning. Unborn babies, very young children, and people with cardiac, respiratory disease, or anemia are more likely to suffer rapidly in the event of exposure.

Today, you can acquire a combination CO and Smoke alarm for your household. The cost is not significantly higher, and your family will be safer as a result.

Nearly nine out of ten households (homes and apartments) are NOT in compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guildelines on carbon monoxide alarms. At the same time, nearly 96% of households report having at least one smoke alarm (source: NFPA 2002).

If the alarm sounds, check it first. Most CO alarms have a test/silence button. Press it. If it sounds again, move outdoors or to fresh air (not in your home, garage, or closed in area).

Next, grab the phone and dial 9-1-1. Tell the dispatcher that your CO alarm has been activated and you have exited the premises.

Follow your family escape plan. Make certain all family member are accounted for.

Make certain all of your pets are accounted for.

Even though your home may not be on fire, use the same escape plan rules: Never re-enter the house until firefighters or first responders have declared the area safe.

Install a minimum of one CO alarm outside each sleeping area and one on each level of your home or apartment/condo.

Test them twice a year, just as you have been doing with your smoke alarms (you have been doing that, right?). If the alarm isn't working, it won't help save your life in the event of CO contamination.

Your CO alarm must be replaced every five to seven years.

Practice responding to a CO alarm activation. Do this early in the AM or just before retiring at night. This drill will work the same as your smoke alarm escape drill.