Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
WAKEFIELD, N.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Former New Hampshire Fire Marshal Paul Parisi emphasized the importance of carbon monoxide safety after a tragic incident in New Hampshire this week.
A family of four was found dead by authorities in their Wakefield, N.H. home on Christmas Day; authorities believe the cause was related to carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Division of Fire Safety.
Ensuring that you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home and that they work is the only way of detecting a potential carbon monoxide leak, as it is a colorless and odorless gas.
“[When] you begin to exhibit signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, by then it could be too late; or if you’re asleep, you may never wake up,” Parisi said.
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Parisi also reminded homeowners that they should never assume that an alarm is malfunctioning but rather call their local fire department for assistance.
“Sometimes people feel like they don’t want to bother [us]. You’re not a bother to us; we want to make sure that you are safe in your home once the fire department clears your house.”
Parisi has made it his mission to ensure that people are educated when it comes to understanding the risks.
“We see it repeatedly; just a couple of months ago, there was another [incident] in Bedford, N.H., with two deaths. It’s the reason why we need to keep the message going.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Kendall Buhl (@WBZKendall) reports.