Red Cross Launches Campaign to Provide Free Carbon Monoxide Detectors
The Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross recently launched a campaign in Superior to make sure people had working carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors in their homes.
According to an article by WDIO, home fires cause more deaths and injuries than all natural disasters combined.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross shared with people in Superior on Saturday through the Home Fire Campaign. The organization and several volunteers spread out across two neighborhoods, going home by home to check people’s carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and ensure the devices are working properly.
“If the homes weren’t in compliance, the Red Cross provided free detectors and installation,” the article reads. “It’s part of a five-year program to reduce fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent.”
Multiple incidents related to carbon monoxide poisoning have occurred over the last few years in Wisconsin.
At least 81 people were taken to hospitals for carbon monoxide poisoning after a Minnesota Junior Hockey League game in December of 2014 at an arena in Lake Delton, Wis.
In April of last year, at least one person died of carbon monoxide poisoning after an incident at the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison.
The Dane County medical examiner’s office identified the victim as Lloyd E. Taylor, 61, of Junction City, saying he died after being taken to a Milwaukee-area hospital for treatment.
Taylor was one of two people sickened April 17, 2015 at the fair, which was being held at the Alliant Energy Center. Authorities said a generator in a camper was the likely source of the carbon monoxide that sickened the two. One of the vendors reportedly noticed some horses weren’t being cared for and alerted authorities, who checked the owners’ camper.
The Red Cross estimates it gave out 120 smoke alarms and 65 CO detectors over the last 3 days in Superior. KBJR 6 chief meteorologist Adam Clark and anchor Kevin Jacobsen pitched in to help knock on doors and install detectors.
The Red Cross partnered with the Superior Fire Department, college students, and several businesses to give out the detectors.
