CO exposure: Actress, model Dayle Haddon’s death prompts safety awareness; what you need to know

Dayle Haddon suspected CO exposure death prompts safety awareness

Former actress and model, Dayle Haddon, died in a Bucks County home due to suspected carbon monoxide exposure. Her death has prompted local fire departments to remind people about the dangers of the silent killer.

SOLEBURY TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Former actress and model, Dayle Haddon, died Friday morning in a Solebury Township home due to carbon monoxide exposure, according to the Bucks County Coroner. Her death has prompted local fire departments to remind people about the dangers of the silent killer and how to keep yourself and your family safe.

Deputy Chief of the New Hope Eagle Volunteer Fire Company, Mark Nissenfeld, said, "Carbon monoxide is the product of incomplete combustion. So with any sort of combustion you have in your home, whether it’s gas-fired, propane-fired, oil-fired, wood-fired can cause carbon monoxide combustion if it’s not properly vented or if it’s incomplete."

Haddon was a Canadian model and actress who gained international fame in the 70s. A tribute to her from her son can be seen on her Instagram page. The celebrity, who once graced Vogue, her death now reminding people that a small investment into a carbon monoxide detector can save a life.

Nissenfeld, stated, "What makes carbon monoxide dangerous is that it’s odorless, colorless, tasteless. People don’t have any ability to detect it. It’s a product that the concentration and the time of exposure can lead to harmful effects."

He continued, giving advice for homeowners, saying, "You can buy a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector which is ok. The problem is smoke detectors should be placed high on the ceiling because smoke rises while carbon monoxide detectors are better placed lower on the ground."

Nissenfeld suggests people go the extra mile and have CO detectors on each level of the door and in bedrooms, if you close the door to go to sleep, as recommended.

"Since you’re unaware of it, if you go to sleep and there’s carbon monoxide rin your environment, it can cause a problem over the time that you’re sleeping and you can wake up with serious medical conditions or possibly expire during the night," Nissenfeld explained.

While carbon monoxide exposure can happen year-round, it’s especially common during the winter months when people use their fireplaces, heaters and keep their windows closed.

Nissenfeld added, "It’s important to take care of your appliances - have them serviced keep your chimney clean and use common sense about where you have combustion."

Due to the high levels of carbon monoxide in the Bucks County home, two medics were hospitalized and a police officer was treated at the scene. A 76-year-old man was also found at the home. He was hospitalized and is listed in critical condition.

Exposure can lead to symptoms such as a headache, so if you think there may be a problem in your home, firefighters will come out to conduct tests.