The Mattydale Fire Department was activated on Thanksgiving day just before 3pm for a carbon monoxide detector activation at a residence on Westwood Ave.

Arriving first was MFD Car 3 (Chief Falise).  After a quick interview with the family outside, it was determined that a detector in the basement had activated for a few minutes and then silenced.  Chief Falise advised the family that they would all remain outside until the department arrived with a meter to verify any problem.

Lt Piccolo arrived next in R-3 with the multi-gas meter and entered the structure to sample the air quality.  The meter immediately went into alarm mode with readings well above 40 ppm and climbing.  National Grid was called and was able to determine that the oven in the kitchen which had been cooking turkey since 11am was the culprit of the poisonous gas.  Quint-3 (Lt Smith) arrived and ventilated the structure.

Navac was requested to the scene with their "Rad-57", a carbon monoxide pulse-oximeter to evaluate the occupants, a mother and son.  While both did have levels of CO in their blood, it was not considered to require medical treatment and were allowed back in their home after the air quality was verified to be back to normal.

This is another example of the value of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home.  Everyone should be sure that their home is protected by these valuable life saving devices and make sure they are maintained.