Canton Fire Department Stresses Importance of CO Detectors

wants residents to check their carbon monoxide detectors. After recent incidents around the state, including one in Nantucket that sent 11 folks to the hospital after being overcome by the odorless gas, the CFD is reminding all residents of the importance of having a working detector.

Last week, the Canton Fire Department responded to a carbon monoxide alarm that went off in a Pleasant Street home.

“The alarm went off about 4:00 p.m. Thursday and the residents called 911,” Canton Fire said.

“The engine crew with a gas meter found elevated CO levels in the home and contacted the town’s gas inspector and gas company,” Driscoll said. “They were able to locate the source of the CO leak,” which was a cracked furnace.

Firefighters shut down the furnace, which will have to be repaired or replaced, and ventilated the home, according to Driscoll.

The family was able to return inside the home and no one was injured. “The residents were unharmed because they had CO detectors in their home to alert them immediately that there was a problem,” the lieutenant said.

Here are some important reminders from the Canton Fire Department on Carbon Monoxide detectors:

• “Every level of the home must have a CO detector including the basement and habitable attic spaces.

• If there is a bedroom located on the level, the CO detector must be within 10 feet of the bedroom door.

• Homes built prior to January 1, 2008 are allowed to use battery powered CO detectors, or a plug-in with a backup-battery-powered CO detector.

• Homes built on or after January 1, 2008 are required to have hardwired CO detectors with battery backup.”

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