State mounts ad campaign to prevent carbon monoxide deaths

Staff reports 5:56 a.m.
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 5:56 am

State mounts ad campaign to prevent carbon monoxide deaths

CCONCORD - As New Hampshire prepares for the upcoming winter season, the State Fire Marshal's Office is encouraging residents to take simple but critical steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

As part of a grant from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which also supports the installation of CO alarms in schools and homes, the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal's Office has launched a public awareness campaign focused on carbon monoxide poisoning prevention. The campaign includes a series of Public Service Announcements featuring Governor Kelly Ayotte and State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey, and includes paid placement on social media platforms. The goal of the campaign is to reach every household in New Hampshire with a life-saving message: Make sure your CO alarms work and check in on neighbors who may be at risk.

"Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, silent danger, but CO poisoning is preventable. A working alarm can make all the difference," said Toomey. "Although it is summer, we want New Hampshire residents to use this reminder to schedule their annual maintenance for all fuel-burning heating equipment."

Campaign Highlights

  • PSA videos and radio spots featuring Governor Ayotte and Marshal Toomey
  • A coordinated social media push across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter)
  • All campaign assets - including videos, audio files, still images and suggested captions -- are available in the official CO Awareness Media Toolkit.

How to Participate

  • Community partners, media outlets, nonprofits, and residents are encouraged to help spread awareness by promoting the campaign assets. Download and share PSAs on social media. Use hashtags #CarbonMonoxideAwareness and #WorkingAlarmsSaveLives to amplify the message.
  • Check your own home to ensure you have working carbon monoxide alarms on every level and in all sleeping areas.
  • Talk to your friends, family and neighbors, especially older adults or those at higher risk, about carbon monoxide safety.

Key Safety Tips

  • Install CO alarms outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home.
  • Have your heating system serviced annually.
  • Never run generators indoors or in enclosed spaces.
  • If your CO alarm sounds, evacuate immediately, then call 911.

For more information, visit the carbon monoxide page on the State Fire Marshal's Office website.