This article originally appeared in The Sun (Westerly, R.I.) on October 15, 1995.

"Carbon monoxide detectors for loan"

      Hope Valley -- They call carbon monoxide the "invisible, silent killer."

      That’s because you can’t see, smell or taste the deadly gas, which is the number one cause of all poisoning deaths in America.

      Some common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning include blocked chimneys; improperly vented heaters or appliances that use natural gas; and exhaust fumes from cars and other gasoline-powered machines, such as lawnmowers.

      The Hope Valley station on Main Street will hold an open house today, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Brochures with detailed information about carbon monoxide dangers will be passed out, and a representative from First Alert -- a manufacturer of carbon monoxide and smoke detectors -- will be there to answer questions.

      While exposure to high levels can cause unconsciousness, brain damage and death, symptoms of low-level exposure -- headaches, nausea, dizziness -- can be mistaken for a case of the flu or simply fatigue.

      Carbon monoxide detectors are sold in many stores, but there are different types with varying degrees of sensitivity.

      The CLMB Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about carbon monoxide dangers, says false alarms are uncommon. But because the gas can’t be seen or smelled, "The real danger is that people might fail to take an alarm The CLMB Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about carbon monoxide dangers, says false alarms are uncommon. But because the gas can’t be seen or smelled, "The real danger is that people might fail to take an alarm seriously when real danger exists," states a foundation pamphlet.

      In light of this, the Hope Valley-Wyoming Fire District has agreed to participate in the foundation’s "Second Look" program.

      The district’s Hope Valley fire station will have 10 carbon monoxide detectors available for loan to homeowners who are unsure if their detectors are sounding false alarms or if they truly have an unhealthy level of carbon monoxide. Fire Chief Fred Stanley said homeowners who don’t currently own a detector are also welcome to borrow one to assess the carbon monoxide levels in their homes.

      Chief Stanley remembers a case of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a malfunctioning furnace in a Hopkinton home about a year ago. He said police took the home’s occupants to Westerly Hospital, where they recovered without serious injury.

      The department gets "save calls to come out and check (carbon monoxide)," Chief Stanley said. Besides furnace, wood stoves and fireplaces . . . also pose a carbon monoxide danger if improperly vented, said.

      Currently, the department has meters that detect the presence of different types of hazardous gases, but hopes to get hand-held meters specifically for carbon monoxide detection within the next month or two.

      The Hope Valley-Wyoming Fire District is one of two departments in Rhode Island chosen for this pilot program. In the future, the foundation -- with the help of local fire departments -- hopes to develop a video and short . . . for education presentations in elementary and junior high schools nationwide.

      The CLMB Foundation, based in Maine, is named after Crystal-Lynn May Brooks, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of 20.