RUDYARD – In an effort to save homeowners from potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning, State Representative Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard) on Wednesday will join health and home experts to distribute free carbon monoxide detectors to low-income families.
"Installing these detectors is an easy way to save lives," McDowell said. "We can't put a price on the safety of our residents. These detectors will provide peace of mind for families who might not have purchased one if they had to choose between food and one of these alarms."
McDowell will be at the Emmet County Community Health Center from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday to hand out the first alarm. The health center is located at 3434 Harbor-Petoskey Road, Suite A, in Petoskey. The Representative will be joined by Steve Biggs of Town and County Cedar Homes, Community Health Director Pat Fralick and a local family.
First Alert donated 500 carbon monoxide alarms last month when the Governor signed McDowell's carbon monoxide poisoning prevention plan into law. "The Overbeck Law" requires all new single-family homes in the state to have at least one carbon monoxide detector within 10 feet of any sleeping area. Seventy detectors will be given away in Emmet County and the rest will be distributed at health departments across the state.
The Overbeck Law is named for Patty and Gene Overbeck, who died in 2003 from carbon monoxide poisoning in their retirement home overlooking Elk Lake in Antrim County. After returning from a shopping trip, Patty accidentally left her car running in the garage. Within hours, the house had filled with toxic fumes and the pair died before recognizing the danger.
"Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colorless and odorless killer," McDowell said. "With this small device we can protect families from becoming its victims. This law will ensure our homes are fully equipped to prevent any future tragedies."
Also on Wednesday, McDowell will meet with representatives from Tobacco-Free Michigan to discuss the state legislature's smoking ban bills; Northern Michigan Regional Hospital to talk about rural heath care issues; and the Emmet County Chapter of the Michigan Townships Association to discuss township issues and what is happening in Lansing.