. >> carbon monoxide takes approximately 500 fatilities in the country. over 20,000 people end up in emergency rooms with feeling nauseous, fatigue, and dizziness. so this morning this was a very good thing that the people got out of the house, went to the hospital. they could have succumbed to death rapidly and it's a good thing they got out alive. >> reporter: this is what could have warned the family that carbon monoxide levels were dangerously high. this is an alarm, available at hard wear stores. the the family now has a functioning one in the home. by law every home is supposed to have one installed. that law took effect july 1st. this is a carbon monoxide alarm. costs anywhere from 20 to $40, and captain paulsen says their seepingal because carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and now with cold weather coming in and people turning on the wall heaters and fire place, these become very essential in the home. reporting live, abc-7 news. >> worthwhile investment. >> overceekd french fries are being braimed for a fire in a cupertino paper complex.