New CO ordinance takes effect this weekend in Stamford - WNEM TV 5

New CO ordinance takes effect this weekend in Stamford

City officials have now made it mandatory for all single and multi-family homes to be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector.

The recently passed ordinance will become effective Sunday, Jan. 13 and also requires that a dwelling have smoke detectors.

According to the new ordinance, detectors should be located as follows:

• A smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector shall be located on the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.
• A smoke detector shall be located in each room used for sleeping purposes.
• A smoke detector shall be located in each story within a dwelling unit, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics.

"Each year thousands of people die tragically in fires. Most did not have properly functioning smoke detectors present," Director of Public Safety Thaddeus Jankowski said in a written statement. "We urge our residents to protect themselves and their loved ones by following the ordinance."

The ordinance calls for homeowners to self-certify that smoke and carbon monoxide detection devices have been installed. Instructions on how to register your home may be found on the city of Stamford website at www.cityofstamford.org and click on "Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detector Ordinance".

For more information, call the fire marshal's office at 203-977-4651.

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