By Ryan Morden
Oswego, NY – A new law goes in effect Monday that mandates that most homes in New York install carbon monoxide detectors.
The law is difficult to enforce, so homeowners and landlords are more or less on the honor system to comply.
However, Gordan Kotars, with the Firefighters Association of the State of New York says if fire, police or medics are called to a house, they'll be looking for the carbon monoxide detector.
"So if you enter a home on a routine medical call, and it's noticed that a carbon monoxide detector is not present, it will be handled accordingly. There are no ramifications that I am aware of at this time other than it's the law, and you need to comply with it," says Kotars.
The law is known as Amanda's Law. It is named after Amanda Hanson who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in West Seneca more than a year ago.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and deadly gas. The law aims to prevent deaths like Hanson's.
A home without gas, wood, or oil sources, like a house powered by electricity and has no garage, are exempt from the law.