Faces of Carbon Monoxide: CO Alarm Saves Georgia Family

Following a series of strong storms resulting in power outages, the Pekez family, like many other households in the area north of Atlanta, used a generator to maintain electricity to their home. 

Shortly after bedtime, their carbon monoxide detector went off. Marko Pekez, suspecting the generator was the source of the high CO levels, turned off the device. Meanwhile, the alarm system automatically alerted first responders, who arrived at the home and began tests to investigate the situation. They determined that the carbon monoxide had reached lethal levels as a result of the generator’s exhaust, and that the family would need to evacuate. 

By this time, the Pekezes’ son was experiencing dizziness, and their daughter had headaches. Firefighters monitored their condition. “We all could have died easily. It was scary,” Kimberlie Pekez told a local news station. “It still chokes me up thinking about it.”

Kimberlie credits the CO alarm for saving her family from what could have been a deadly outcome for her family. “They saved our lives without a doubt.”

Detection is prevention

A survey of U.S. adults conducted by UL Standards & Engagement found that more than one-third (36%) of U.S. homes have no method of CO detection – representing approximately 86.2 million individuals. Further, 29% of those surveyed say they do not need (17%) or are unsure (12%) if they need a CO alarm in the home if smoke alarms are present. 

Although the Pekez family’s generator is not the portable type, the survey found 62% of portable generators said they do not feel they or their household are at risk of CO poisoning from their generator, and 23% do not realize these appliances are a potential source of carbon monoxide. 

These and other findings in ULSE’s report, Understanding the Silent Threat: Early Detection and Prevention of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, indicate a concerning a significant awareness gap about the dangers of CO poisoning. 

Standards: bridging the gaps

UL Standards & Engagement has more than 75 safety standards in publication related to CO protection. Safety standards guide the design, construction, and testing of products to help ensure they perform as intended and to protect life and property. 

For example, UL 2034, the Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms, issued two updates in recent years to expand protection options to places like motels, restaurants, commercial vehicles, and more that may not be protected currently against carbon monoxide. The alarms that the Pekez family credits with saving their lives are within the scope of UL 2034. 

Learn more

UL Standards & Engagement continues to advance its work to prevent CO poisonings through its standards. Learn more about our efforts. 

To read more about the Pekez family’s story, read Generators and CO poisoning: A Cherokee County couple’s warning on Fox5Atlanta.com.