December 6, 2012 - A recent carbon monoxide leak at an elementary school in Georgia has prompted some local school officials to take action.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, only 2 states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in schools.
Pennsylvania is not one of the two.
Maryland and Connecticut are the only two states that have laws requiring schools to have CO detectors.
The Erie School District and the Millcreek School District schools do not have carbon monoxide detectors installed.
In response to the recent incident in Georgia, Erie School District officials say the maintenance staff will be installing CO detectors in all city schools.
Millcreek school officials have no plans to install detectors.
However, Millcreek officials say the carbon monoxide poisoning death of a McDowell student at his residence last November has raised awareness to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Erie's Chief Fire Inspector says the problem with carbon monoxide is it's colorless, odorless and tasteless.
"As far as I'm concerned, carbon monoxide detectors are every bit as important as smoke detectors," said Guy Santone, Erie's Chief Fire Inspector.
Santone also stresses the importance of every home having a carbon monoxide detector.
