‘Safeguarding Families’: Healthy At Home CHQ To Distribute Carbon Monoxide Detectors

From left are Rachel Roberson, Western New York Children’s Environmental Health Center program coordinator, and Krista Camarata, Jamestown Community Learning Council executive director. The organizations will partner to distribute carbon monoxide detectors to families in Jamestown.

The Jamestown Community Learning Council and Western New York Children’s Environmental Health Center, two organizations partnering on the Healthy at Home CHQ program, are collaborating on a new initiative to distribute carbon monoxide detectors to households in need.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can pose serious health risks, including headaches, dizziness, and even death. CO detectors will be given to local families to address this hidden danger, ensuring a safer living environment for all.

“The Western New York Children’s Environmental Health Center is dedicated to promoting initiatives focusing on pediatric environmental health,” said Rachel Roberson, program coordinator at the WNY Children’s Environmental Health Center. “By providing carbon monoxide detectors to those who might otherwise go without, we are taking a crucial step toward preventing CO-related incidents and safeguarding families.”

Jamestown Community Learning Council home visiting staff will distribute and install the detectors.

“Our home visitors do safety assessments as a routine part of our program,” said Krista Camarata, JCLC executive director. “CO detectors are one item we check for, and they are required in residential properties but are often missing. We are excited to be able to provide CO monitors to our families.”

New York State’s Amanda’s Law was passed in 2009 and was named for a 16-year-old who died of CO poisoning from a leak in a defective boiler. Amanda’s Law requires that CO detectors be installed in all dwellings including single- and multiple-family homes, apartment buildings, hotels/motels, boarding houses, and other residential property types. Previously, only some residences built or bought after July 30, 2002 were required to have CO detectors.

In addition to distributing detectors, the JCLC will provide educational materials from WNY CHEC on Carbon Monoxide safety, including information on how to properly install and maintain detectors. This holistic approach ensures that families are not only equipped with the necessary tools but also informed about how to use them effectively.

“We are proud to play the role of matchmaker in this important effort,” said Lisa Schmidtfrerick-Miller, Healthy at Home CHQ Coalition coordinator. “Our goal is to promote safe and healthy housing within our communities. Connecting partners with available resources amplifies our impact and helps us reach those who are most in need. Together, we can make a difference as we work to ensure that every home is a safe home.”

For more information, visit www.jclcprograms.org or nyscheck.org.