Page 24 - JULY2025

Page 24 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM July 2025
Community
The Northeast Carbon Monoxide Alliance (NECOA) is working to prevent carbon mon- oxide (CO) poisoning through education, advocacy, and out- reach. The CO Alliance brings together public health profes- sionals, fire and life safety educa- tors, State Fire Marshal’s Offices, state agencies, businesses, first responders, medical profession- als, researchers, lawmakers, and victims’ families—all committed to saving lives.
Last year, during their an- nual CO Summit Krissy Taylor of Ohio shared the heartbreak- ing story of her 7-year-old son, Afton, who died from carbon
Local Event Highlights Carbon Monoxide Safety While Boating
New sign at gas pumps honors young CO victim, raises awareness
Bristol Fire Chief LaRoche
monoxide poisoning while rid- ing in a boat with his family. CO is an invisible danger. It is a tasteless and odorless gas, which we tend to think of as a winter
Greg Wagner Owner of West Shore Marine
Bill Degnan
LikeAfton to purchase and in- stall carbon monoxide safety signs at lakes across New Hamp- shire. On Saturday, June 21, a small kickoff event was held at a West Shore Marine’s gas pumps to unveil one of the new signs.
Bristol Fire Chief, Ben La- Roche, reminded residents and visitors to enjoy the lake and stay safe while boating. He high- lighted three key tips:
• Wear a personal floatation device
• Stay seated
• Use your kill switch
Bill Degnan, former NH
State Fire Marshal and NECOA member, added:
• This has happened in NH! On Lake Winnipesaukee an in- fant and a 2-year-old had CO poisoning on their family boat, luckily, they survived!
• CO Prevention on the water is possible. Make sure you have a Marine Grade CO Detector.
NECOA invites fire service personnel, healthcare profes- sionals, trades workers, and the general public to attend the 10th Annual CO Summit this Novem- ber 14th—a FREE event focused on carbon monoxide education and prevention. If interested in attending the 2025 CO Summit, contact Rebecca Cowser, PIO at the NH Fire Marshal’s Office, Rebecca.f.cowser@dos.nh.gov
To learn more about carbon monoxide poisoning prevention and get updates about the sum- mit, follow the Northeast Carbon Monoxide Alliance on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NE- COAlliance.
hazard. Although unlikely, it can also build up behind boats—es- pecially at slow speeds or when the engine is idling, creating a toxic cloud that could be fatal.
(Learn more about Afton’s story at: https://www.lovelikeafton. com/)
To raise awareness, NECOA has partnered with #Love-