Carbon monoxide detector saves couple’s lives

By: Nick Powers | Warren Weekly | Published February 3, 2025

 Tim Dail reads a statement detailing how the Warren’s program to install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors saved his life and the life of his wife Christine.

Tim Dail reads a statement detailing how the Warren’s program to install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors saved his life and the life of his wife Christine.

Photo by Nick Powers

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WARREN — Tim Dail and his wife Christine are lucky to be alive.

On Jan. 18, the couple’s carbon monoxide detector went off. Tim started airing out the house and put in a call to his nephew, Warren firefighter Devin Rice, who called the Fire Department. The culprit was the couple’s furnace.

“We then shut off the furnace and they cleared the house of carbon monoxide till the levels were near zero,” Tim said at a Jan. 28 Warren City Council meeting. “You can say the carbon monoxide detectors saved our lives.”

Warren Fire Commissioner Wilburt McAdams said the carbon monoxide in their home was 140,000 parts per million. He said 40 parts per million will activate a detector.

“His reading was high, and it could’ve been life-threatening,” McAdams said.

This is all a result of the family taking part in a Fire Department program for Warren homeowners last year. According to previous reporting from the Warren Weekly, the program is funded through a grant from State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer and his partnership with MI Prevention, the Warren Fire Department and Warren’s elected officials.

“So we choose to believe that the Warren Fire Department and all of its many employees have saved our lives,” Tim said.

On request, the department will send members of its fire inspection division out to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for free. There are no income requirements to receive detectors.

“We enjoy going to a resident and helping them out with this situation before tragedy happens,” McAdams said. “It makes us feel good.”

McAdams estimated that the free program saves households about $250-300. He said installation typically includes five smoke detectors and one carbon monoxide detector. The department works around residents’ schedules to do the installations.

“Plus, we get up on the ladders and install them in the correct place,” McAdams said. “You don’t have to be 90 for us to do it. You can be 20. We will install and save you the trouble. We bring our own ladders, we bring our own tools.”

Tim singled out Rice, Lt. Eric Kamm, firefighter Dane Harvey and firefighter Nate Hayward for their efforts to assist them.

“It was stated by a couple of the fire people involved with this program that if it saved one life, it was well worth it,” Tim said. “It saved two.”

To request an installation from the department, call (586) 759-9320.

 

Urban Forestry Committee established
A new committee in the city will be tasked with improving its green spaces as a result of action taken at the meeting on Jan. 18.

The council did this by unanimously approving an amendment to chapter 38 of the city’s tree and vegetation ordinance, establishing the Urban Forestry Committee. It also allows the zoning department to issue tickets for failing to comply with the ordinance.

The committee deals with vegetation on public property. Things they’ll look at include tree removal standards; what shrub and tree species are permitted; guidelines for planting; preserving and increasing the city’s tree canopy; a survey of trees in public spaces; and developing a plan for forestry in the city.

In addition to the committee, the new amendment makes other alterations to the charter. It makes sure guidelines are followed for planting; requires a removed tree to be replaced; protects trees from vandalism, pollution and construction; keeps vegetation from overtaking the sight line of vehicles; and requires a utility company to obtain an annual permit to do maintenance.

If a tree is removed, Warren Public Service Director David Muzzarelli clarified that the city will not force residents to replace it if it’s a hindrance.

“Certainly, if it’s a hindrance to an elderly couple or something we’re not going to force them to have a tree there,” Muzzarelli said.

Muzzarelli said tree planting would ideally happen in the fall. He also confirmed that care is made to make sure the trees are native and do not interrupt septic systems.

Those interested can also now “Adopt a Right-of-Way” through the Public Service Department. This allows for volunteers to landscape margin areas, between the lot line and the street, not adjacent to their property. Regulations for the maintenance set out by the committee have to be followed and a volunteer will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance with the abutting property owner.

Members of the council thanked Councilman Henry Newnan for spearheading the project. Newman highlighted the role of the ordinance in promoting more native plants in the city. He spoke to the change as an example of efficient government.

“I really think this is the new age of city government in Warren where everybody can work together,” Newman said.

Members of the new committee include the public service director, the parks and recreation director, the planning director, the city engineer and the public works superintendent.

All of these department heads have the option of assigning a designee to the committee if they choose not to be on it themselves.

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