A series of high profile deaths involving carbon monoxide has resulted in a new Florida law requiring special detectors in many new homes, but the effective date of the requirement may be too late to help some.

Public Housing, new homes with a gas heater, gas appliances or an attached garage are all required to have carbon monoxide detectors. The new law was the direct result of families who lost loved ones coming to Tallahassee. Jennifer Perez lost her brother in 2004.

“It happened. I can’t turn back time, but if I can prevent it from happening to other people, then I will.”

The 2004 - 2005 hurricane seasons claimed a dozen lives when people fired up generators inside their garage. While the law took effect July 1st, there is a one year grace period to incorporate the new standards into the state building code.

The detectors cost anywhere from $15 to $50 and they’re a big seller at do it yourself stores.

Carlos Jiron lost five family members last August when a car was left running in his cousin’s garage.

“If those systems were in place at the home at that time, my family would still be alive right now, but they’re not. Is it that more expensive for contractors to include these systems in homes?” he said.

While there is a one year grace period for new homes, fire officials say anyone with gas appliances should have a carbon monoxide detector now.

Carlos Jiron, who lost five members of his family last August, is a former news photographer at our Capitol Bureau in Tallahassee.