FIRE BURNS, SMOKE KILLS!™

WORKING SMOKE AND CO ALARMS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

IT’S THE LAW IN CALIFORNIA

Every home and apartment needs to have smoke and CO alarms. During the past two years, 42 people have died in home and apartment fires in Los Angeles.

Key Fact: In nearly every case, there was no working smoke alarm in the homes that burned.

SMOKE ALARM BASICS

1. Place one smoke alarm on each level of your home near the stairs, including entrances to the attic or basement if you have one.
2. Install one smoke alarm in each common area, such as a living room or dining room. Avoid placing the alarm near a fireplace, stove or other appliance that typically generates safe amounts of smoke and heat.
3. Place one alarm in each bedroom or in the hallway in front of adjoining bedrooms.

INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS

1. Grab your ladder and mount smoke alarms high – on a wall or on the ceiling – though the ceiling mount is preferable, as they will trigger more effectively.
2. When attaching a smoke alarm to the wall, place it 4 – 12” from the ceiling. When mounting to the ceiling, place alarms at least 4” from the wall. Smoke rises, so select the highest point on the ceiling.
3. Avoid mounting smoke alarms near windows or doors, where smoke can escape before triggering the alarm.
   Avoid mounting smoke alarms overhead in kitchens or dining rooms. Smoke and steam from cooking and candles can cause false alarms.
4. Follow the directions on the package for mounting the smoke alarm once you’ve chosen the general area for the alarm. You might need a drill and a screwdriver. You won’t need screws of batteries. All new smoke alarms come with both – it’s part of the UL standard.
5. Make sure a qualified electrician mounts the device if you choose an alarm that will be hardwired to your home’s electrical system.

MySafe:LA will provide FREE SMOKE ALARMS AND INSTALLATION to those in need. If you would like to have your home inspected for working alarms, visit www.mysmokealarm.org

CO IS A SILENT KILLER

YOU CAN’T SEE IT, SMELL IT, OR TASTE IT

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE POISONED EVERY YEAR BY CARBON MONOXIDE (CO).

In California, having a working CO alarm in your apartment or home is NOW THE LAW.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov), CO poisoning results in approximately 500 deaths and an estimated 20,000 emergency room visits in the United Sates every year. CO is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. The only way to detect it in your home is with a special carbon monoxide alarm. Symptoms of CO poisoning can happen quickly and mimic flu-like symptoms, so people often think they’re coming down with a virus instead of suspecting CO poisoning.

WHAT, WHERE, WHY, HOW?

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of burning fuel.
Some sources include emissions from:

• loose pipes on gas or oil furnaces
• Improperly installed kitchen ovens
• Wood-burning stoves
• Fireplaces
• Improperly vented clothes dryers
• Operating a gas barbecue grill indoors or in a garage
• Exhaust fumes from motor vehicles or gas-powered equipment left running in an attached garage

Los Angeles is a notably dangerous environment for CO buildup. Whenever people try to heat their home with alternative fuels (such as space heaters or BBQs), the risk of CO poisoning increases. CO can build up anywhere in your home.

SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Confusion

High levels of exposure can result in loss of consciousness and even death. In the event of CO exposure, it’s essential to get out of the danger area, into fresh air, and if ill to seek immediate medical attention. Dial 9-1-1 if you’re concerned that you or a family member may be exposed to CO.

Because having a working CO alarm in your apartment or home is NOW THE LAW in California, if you have a CO-related accident, you may face fines and your insurance may refuse to pay a claim. Don’t put your family at risk. Install a working CO alarm today.