After Homestead Mayor Betty Esper was sickened by a carbon monoxide leak in her home last year, she decided she wanted to make others aware of the importance of having carbon monoxide detectors.
Ms. Esper, a tenant in her building and the tenant's friend were taken to the hospital by ambulance after they were sickened in the Nov. 20 incident caused by a stuffed-up furnace chimney.
"I passed out on my porch, but I didn't know why I passed out," she said.
Ms. Esper told the Post-Gazette after the incident that she was fortunate to have collapsed outside, where the fresh air may have revived her. Ms. Esper did not have a carbon monoxide detector, though her tenant's detector went off after they all felt "woozy."
On Wednesday, state Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, presented the Steel Valley Council of Governments with a check for $5,000 to put toward more than 400 detectors to be distributed among the communities the COG serves -- Braddock Hills, Dravosburg, Homestead, Munhall, West Elizabeth, West Homestead, West Mifflin, Whitaker and Clairton.
An Lewis, executive director of the COG, said Ms. Esper approached the council and said she wanted to secure funding for detectors and give them to people in Steel Valley communities.
"Sen. Costa helped us obtain a $5,000 grant through the Department of Health," Ms. Lewis said. After that, Ms. Lewis called around until she found the best deal on carbon monoxide detectors -- she got 412 detectors for about $12 each from Lowe's Home Improvement.
About 40 detectors will be given to each community, which will be responsible for distributing them. To inquire about receiving a detector, residents should contact their borough office.
