West Seneca News

Posted by John Boronkay 
 

OUTSTANDING CITIZEN AWARDED

President Amy Thompson is pictured with Ken Hansen.  Hansen was presented both the Rotary Club of West Seneca Hero Award and a Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
 
Ken and Kim Hansen founded the Amanda Hansen Foundation shortly after the tragic death of their daughter, Amanda. She was at a sleep-over at a friend’s house, in the lower level family room. There were no carbon monoxide (CO) detectors; Amanda’s death was caused by accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. They felt compelled to found and continue working on the foundation.
 
The goals of the Amanda Hansen Foundation are very straightforward:
  1. To create the resources to supply the public with CO detectors who could not otherwise afford them.
  2. To educate, as to the real and imminent dangers of CO poisoning, its causes, and it's prevention through the proper use of detectors, and proper installation/maintenance of household appliances.
  3. Work hand in hand with local and national organizations to future educate and promote awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide.
  4. To enact local as well as national legislation to mandate that all buildings, both private and public, be equipped with CO detectors, without exception.
  5. Finally, to ensure that the memory of Amanda will be forever kept alive through the lives of others that by her sacrifice were able to avoid the same needless tragedy.
One result of the Hansen’s effort is Amanda’s Law. Effective February 22, 2010, a new law went into effect in New York State to help protect families from accidental  CO poisoning death. The new law requires the following:
  1. CO Alarms must be installed in ALL NEW AND EXISTING one and two-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings and rentals having any fuel-burning appliance, system or attached garage.
  2. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends CO Alarms be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
  3. To comply with the law, CO alarms must be listed to comply with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) 2034 or CSA (Canadian Standards Association) 6.19 and installed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
  4. CO Alarms should be replaced every five (5) years in order to benefit from the latest technology and upgrades. Also the Carbon Monoxide sensors inside the alarm unit can wear out over time.
The number of CO Alarms to have in a home to protect a family can be calculated by: # of Levels X # of bedrooms = (# of Alarms you should have) For example: A two story home with a basement and three bedrooms should have six (6) CO Alarms.
 
Ken Hansen dedicates hours of his time speaking to community groups, political leaders, school assemblies and civic organizations to explain the foundation, share the Hansen’s tragic story of loss, educate about the dangers of carbon monoxide and promote the use of CO detectors. He has been invited to speak in forums all across the United States and recently spoke in Wales, Scotland and in England before the House of Commons.
 
The Rotary Club of West Seneca felt proud and privileged to select Ken Hansen as the recipient of its Hero Award.