Local Woman 'A Christmas Miracle' After Carbon Monoxide Leak

SOUTHOLD, NY — For Southold resident Paula DiDonato, who owns The Giving Room, a wellness center and yoga studio, the holiday season was one filled with joy and blessings.

But the festive time could have turned tragic in a heartbeat, due to a carbon monoxide leak in her home. And now, she's turned to social media to raise awareness — and save lives.

During December, DiDonato said she noticed her house had an exhaust smell. She called the fuel company and had her oil tank filled, "thinking that could be part of the issue," she said. "The tank was low. The tanks were filled. I mentioned the smell. Nothing was found by the technician. The smell persisted."

Then, she said, she called another oil company, a firm that does the maintenance on the home, who had been there recently.

"They found the exhaust system to be mis-wired and faulty," she said. "There were levels of CO in the home. I was advised to leave the house and open all the windows and doors.
I purchased a new CO detector — and one person associated with the fire department said I was lucky to have been a Christmas miracle. It could have been a fatal situation."

It had been going on for days, she said.

After the incident, DiDonato had all of the detectors replaced and discovered then that the one in the basement was missing. "That is probably the most important monitor to have!" she said.

The message DiDonato hopes to impart is simple, but can save lives: "Check your CO monitors. Have maintenance done on your furnace and be persistent if you sense there is a problem in your home. It's winter, so be sure your exhaust vents are not blocked by snow. And clear the exhaust pipe for your car."

Carbon monoxide can be deadly: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "CO is a toxic gas that you cannot see or smell. CO is given off whenever fuel or other carbon-based materials are burned. CO usually comes from sources in or near your home that are not properly maintained or vented."

Breathing CO, the CDC said, can cause headache, dizziness, vomiting, and nausea. "If CO levels are high enough, you may become unconscious or die. Exposure to moderate and high levels of CO over long periods of time has also been linked with increased risk of heart disease. People who survive severe CO poisoning may suffer long-term health problems," the CDC said.

That's why education, all agree, is critical — and a working carbon monoxide detector key.

According to FirstAlert.com, CO alarms are required in nearly all structures in New York State, including new construction of single- and two-family homes and town homes, effective in 2003, and in new and existing one- and two-family dwellings and multi-family dwellings, hotels, and dormitories, effective Feb., 2010.

In other news regarding smoke detectors, News10.com reported that, as of April 1, 2019 smoke detector upgrades will be mandated, with all businesses required to sell smoke detectors that are either a 10-year, sealed, non-removable battery or hardwired detector.

For DiDonato, the holidays were especially meaningful this year. "I'm grateful to be alive. Always," she said.

Patch photo courtesy Paula DiDonato.