SIDNEY — A carbon monoxide detector helped prevent a tragedy in Sidney.
A local resident decided to take advantage of the Sidney Fire & Emergency Services program that provides carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to citizens in need. The program is sponsored by the Sidney Elks Lodge.
The resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, picked up the detector on Jan. 22, 2016. On Feb. 5, the detector alarmed, and she called 911.
“We responded to find a dangerous level of CO in the house,” said Deputy Fire Chief Cameron Haller. “The cause was a faulty furnace. She was able to find alternative lodging for the night until she could make future arrangements.”
The popularity of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms has been growing in recent years, but it cannot be assumed that everyone is familiar with the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home (NFPA). A person can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a longer period of time or by a large amount of CO over a shorter amount of time.
Christi Thomas, a member of the Elks and retired member of the fire department, was the originator of the department’s CO detector giveaway program. Thomas’s hard work and effort paid a huge dividend this winter; she saved a life through the program she created in coordination with the Elks.
