WALL, N.J. — New Jersey Natural Gas Company, the principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources Corp., will provide free carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to eligible NJNG low-income customers through the company’s CO Detector Education (CODE) campaign. The campaign is designed to promote CO awareness and assist low-income customers in meeting the state’s new CO detector mandates.

New Jersey recently expanded CO safety requirements by mandating detectors in all single- and two-family dwellings. Through the CODE campaign, NJNG will mail CO detectors to NJNG customers who received heating assistance from the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or New Jersey’s Lifeline Assistance Program between Aug. 1, 2002, and July 31, 2003.

“Carbon monoxide detectors are one of the most important safety devices to have in your home. If used properly, the device can save lives. Using them could be a matter of life or death,” said Jeanne M. Fox, president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

“By offering CO detectors at no cost to low-income customers through the CODE campaign, New Jersey Natural Gas is providing an important tool to help keep families safe from the potential dangers of CO buildup in the home,” said Ratepayer Advocate Seema M. Singh.

“My office highly recommends the use of a CO detector, as well as education on the sources of CO and the safe use of appliances, to prevent the tragic consequences of CO poisoning in our communities,” said Singh.

“New Jersey lawmakers have made great strides to advance CO safety in our communities by passing new requirements for detectors in homes,” said Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of NJNG. “We are proud to support this effort by relieving the burden of the cost of the CO detector for low-income households as part of our continuing commitment to safe, reliable and affordable service,” said Downes.

For more information, contact HEAP: in Monmouth County, 732-502-8855 or 732-775-4442; in Middlesex, 732-828-4541; in Ocean, 732-244-9041; and in Morris County, 973-366-1131.

Publication date: 06/23/2003