AURORA — A couple are thankful to be alive and credit a carbon monoxide detector for saving their lives.
“We’re just real happy to be here,” Don Hicks said. “It was one of our special Christmas blessings.”
Early Saturday morning, the alarm on Don and Laurie Hicks’ carbon monoxide detector woke them up. It warned them to evacuate immediately.
The fire department said a heater for their driveway snowmelt system was malfunctioning. The flue might have been blocked, and carbon monoxide was spewing into their home.
The Hickses said they bought carbon monoxide detectors about a year ago but only installed them two weeks ago.
If they hadn’t plugged them in, they might not be here today.
“Here we are with two beautiful grandkids and everything in the world to live for, and because we chose not to put our CO detectors in, we could have passed away, and no one would have known until the next morning,” Don Hicks said.
Detectors should be installed on every level of your home and near every sleeping area, experts say.
