The campaign coincides with the seven-year anniversary of California Senate Bill 183, commonly known as the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, which went into effect statewide on July 1, 2011. The law requires all single-family homes with an attached garage or fossil fuel source to install CO alarms within the home.

In accordance with Underwriters Laboratories, CO alarms are equipped with an end-of-life signal, so at some point this year, Kidde-branded CO alarms purchased in 2011 may start sounding two quick end-of-life warning beeps every 30 seconds. When a CO alarm enters its end-of-life mode, residents should replace it with a new unit immediately. Just changing the battery is not sufficient.

“Many people hear their alarms beeping and think they simply need to change the battery,” said Pam Hoppel, managing director, Kidde. “Now that seven years has passed since the California CO alarm legislation went into effect, we want to make sure residents understand what this beeping means: the entire unit needs to be replaced as soon as possible. In spreading this important message across California, we hope to alleviate any frustration and, most importantly, keep people safe from the harmful effects of CO.”

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, not related to drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control, unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States leads to more than 400 deaths and 50,000 emergency room visits each year.