by KYW's Michelle Durham
As of January, every home in the city of Philadelphia is required to have a carbon monoxide alarms. Philadelphia's fire commissioner wants that requirement extended to every home in Pennsylvania.
Commissioner Ayers says this law is a necessity.
Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of carbon monoxide poisoning deaths and he says Philadelphia residents who live in row homes or apartments need to be especially careful:
"The walls are not non-permeable, meaning that there are different areas where smoke or carbon monoxide can come through the walls, can permeate the air in that area and can affect you in the same way. So your neighbor doesn't have one, if you don't have one, then you are affecting one another."
Ayers says there should be a carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home, but if you can only afford one, make sure it is up on the level where you sleep.