March 16, 2009

WROBLEWSKI TAKES ACTION ON CALL FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT OF AMANDA'S LAW

The community of West Seneca is coming together for a benefit at Vigilant Fire Company on Sunday, March 22 in tribute to Amanda Hansen. Following published articles and media reports, Bee readers know that at the age of 16, Amanda tragically lost her life to carbon monoxide poisoning from a defective boiler while sleeping over at a friend's house on January 17, 2009.

Proceeds from Amanda's benefit will establish the Amanda J. Hansen Scholarship Fund and contribute to the public education campaign her parents have undertaken on the importance of having carbon monoxide detectors in residences.

Amanda's Law - A. 6093/S. 2791 - sponsored in the State Assembly by Assemblyman Mark J.F. Schroeder and in the State Senate by Senator William Stachowski - has been introduced in memory of Amanda and as a tangible expression of the State Legislature's efforts to help avert a future tragedy of this magnitude.

Although no single effort the community or government puts forward can bring Amanda back, the public can take steps to stop such accidental and preventable loss of life in the future, and by doing so, pay tribute to this West Seneca West junior and avid swimmer. I fully support these public information and public policy initiatives, and will do all I can to see these efforts through to a positive outcome that protects public safety.

As an example of what can be accomplished for a just cause, on March 12, 2009, the Erie County Legislature unanimously approved a resolution I sponsored in support of Assembly Bill 6093/Senate Bill 2791.

If approved by the State Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, this legislation would require all owners of residences with appliances, devices or systems emitting carbon monoxide to purchase and install carbon monoxide detectors when such appliances, devices or systems are replaced.
If a homeowner engages a contractor or other individual to do such work, the law would require that person to install a carbon monoxide detector at the same time if one is not already present in the dwelling.

Carbon monoxide is a silent, deadly danger in the home. Whether a new furnace or other appliance that could potentially emit carbon monoxide will be installed in your home in the near future or not, it's a good idea to have a CO detector in your home...today.

For more information on carbon monoxide and its impact on indoor air quality, you can contact Erie County's Indoor Air Quality Hotline at 858-6200 or visit the Department of Environment & Planning's website at http://www.erie.gov/environment/compliance/indoor_air_quality.asp. Carbon monoxide detectors can be ordered from Erie County at a cost of $25 each. CO detectors can also be purchased from retail stores as well.

A carbon monoxide detector is a life-saving family investment, one I encourage all my constituents to make. Amanda, a considerate and caring person whose personal motto was "Live, Laugh, Love" would want us to do so.

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