Crime & Safety
County Warns of Detector Scam
Hermosa Beach residents are being asked to be suspicious of letters asking them to buy $126 carbon monoxide detectors or face fines.
Los Angeles County Fire Department officials Wednesday warned residents about a possible scam involving carbon monoxide detectors.
One company has solicited locals through the mail to buy a $126 carbon monoxide detector and stated residents could face fines and penalties under California's Senate Bill 183 if they didn't the purchase the item, county officials said.
But while the bill does mandate carbon monoxide detectors in single-family homes, no federal, state or local fire agency is backing a particular brand of detector, said Los Angeles County fire Inspector Matt Levesque.
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Approved detectors are available at building supply outlets and discount stores for about $20 apiece, he said. A list of approved detectors is also available online at: www.fire.lacounty.gov.
— City News Service contributed to this report.
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