The Louisiana Fire Marshal’s Office is getting the word out that homeowners will have to install CO monitors if they want to put their house on the market or rent it out.
"Any house sold or leased after Jan. 1, 2023, will need to have at least one carbon monoxide alarm in the home," according to a news release.
It is the result of a new law passed this year.
Companies installing generators have to start providing the monitors too.
"The Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Council adopted an amendment to the state’s residential building code requiring carbon monoxide alarms to be installed at the same time a whole home, standby generator is installed. That change also goes into effect Jan. 1, 2023."
The fire marshal stresses, even if new laws and rules don't require it, every house should have a CO alarm.
“These changes are the direct result of the tragic aftermath of the 2020 and 2021 hurricane disasters across our state that saw more than a dozen carbon monoxide-related deaths and dozens more hospitalizations, all attributed to both portable and standby generator use,” said State Fire Marshal Dan Wallis, “We’re grateful to the housing and real estate industry for being proactive ahead of the law change to ensure everyone is appropriately educated on this effort to save lives well before the law goes into effect.”
Smoke detectors are recommended as well.
"If a resident needs assistance obtaining a smoke alarm, the SFM’s Operation Save-A-Life can help. Visit lasfm.org for more information on the program."
