Effective Jan. 1, the State of Washington requires that carbon monoxide (CO) alarm devices must be installed in nearly all buildings classified as residential occupancies.

This includes existing single-family housing, as well as hotels, motels, apartments and other spaces intended for inhabitance.

Newly constructed homes were required to have CO alarms installed by Jan. 1, 2011.

To learn more about protecting your family from CO poisoning, visit www.firstalert.com.