Hudson Valley Happenings Blog : Attention New Yorkers! Amanda's Law Goes Into Effect Today

Do you have a Carbon Monoxide Detector in your house or apartment?  Well if you live in New York you better get one.  Today, February 22,2010, is the day the Amanda's Law takes effect.  This State Law was passed in July and requires every dwelling in New York State to have a working Carbon Monoxide Detector installed.  They can be hard wired or plug in units with battery back up.  The plug in units are easy to find in stores and installation is merely plugging them into an outlet and maintaining batteries to back up the system.  They are like having your own little security system complete with a bouncer to sound the alarm in case of danger.

This law came about through the efforts of Amanda Hanson's parents after her tragic death in January of 2009.  Amanda was only 16 and on a sleep over at a friends house when a faulty boiler emitted the odorless, colorless gas that took her life.  There was not Carbon Monoxide Detector in that house.

As part of the transfer of title and closing on homes in New York sellers have been required for quite a while to certify that Carbon Monoxide Detectors were present in the house they were selling.  Now it is required that all dwellings have and maintain these units.  

Well I am off to check out my house and the rental units I have to insure they all have working units.  I suggest you all do the same.

If you or anyone you know is thinking of buying or selling a home I would be glad to help.  If they are in the Greater Hudson Valley I can act as their agent.  If they are anywhere else in the state or country I can find a great agent for them where they are or want to be.