City measure aims to prevent carbon monoxide deaths

Laurel homes whose building permits are issued after Jan. 1 must have combo smoke-carbon monoxide detectors

‘‘Carbon monoxide kills thousands of people per year, and this ordinance is a step forward to reducing that number,” Laurel Volunteer Fire Department Chief Richard Blankenship said, referring to a figure released by the Prince George’s County Fire Department.

The measure goes beyond the statewide law that will also go into effect on Jan. 1, which requires carbon monoxide detectors in the dwelling units of buildings with systems that run on fossil fuels.

Carbon monoxide is often referred to as a silent killer because it is odorless.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, people who succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning often think they initially have the flu due to bouts of headaches, nausea and fatigue. Prolonged exposure can lead to death.

Appliances running on natural gas, liquefied petroleum, oil, kerosene, coal or wood may produce the poisonous gas, according to the commission.

The combination detectors cost about $35 and are not a significant financial burden, Laurel’s Fire Marshal, Dave Cope, said during a Dec. 6 City Council work session. The Maryland bill states that the financial burden to small business owners and residents who would have to buy the detectors is minimal. Residential units are currently required to have smoke detectors.

In other business Dec. 10, the council approved the purchase of a 10-ton dump truck that the city will use as a snowplow and salt spreader during winter months. Laurel is acquiring the truck from the city of Alexandria, Va., by continuing that city’s contract on the truck. The new truck, which replaces a 1990 model, will cost Laurel $92,000. Robert Ferree, deputy director of public works, said the city plans to add the truck to its fleet by February.

‘‘It’s 17 years old, and it’s seen better days,” Ferree said of the truck that’s being replaced. ‘‘The salt and stuff from snow removal is very hard on the trucks after that many years. The parts and stuff just start rusting away.”

Money for the new truck was to be included in next year’s budget, but because bond funding recently became available, the city was able to finance the purchase as part of the fiscal 2008 budget.

The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department also applied for a loan from the city to finance the purchase of a new fire engine, estimated at around $500,000, to replace a 1992 engine. The city approved the terms of a loan of up to $336,000.