Apollo Safety Blog

Category:

Gas Detection

Make sure your equipment is ready before the next storm hits

A recent study published in Pediatrics on May 5, 2025, revealed a disturbing trend: power outages significantly increase the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in children. The research, which analyzed emergency department data from 2017 to 2020, found that even a four-hour power outage can raise the odds of a CO-related pediatric emergency room visit by over 50 percent. In large-scale outages, that number jumps to over 150 percent.

The highest rates of poisoning were seen in children under 5 years old, particularly in urban areas. These findings confirm what Apollo Safety has always emphasized: CO poisoning is silent, fast, and too often overlooked.

During outages, many households and facilities turn to portable generators for backup power. Unfortunately, improper generator use is one of the leading causes of CO exposure. Without properly calibrated gas detection equipment in place, the danger goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

What You Can Do:

If you’re responsible for safety in a school, municipal building, healthcare facility, or residential property, preparation starts with:

  • Having reliable CO detection equipment on-site
  • Ensuring all detectors are calibrated and compliant
  • Educating staff on proper generator placement and usage
  • Signing up for a service or calibration contract to stay ahead of failures

Apollo Safety offers portable and fixed CO detectors, routine calibration agreements, and the fastest turnaround times in the industry. With our state-of-the-art service center and loaner options, we make sure you’re never unprotected, even in an emergency.

Don’t wait until a storm hits to discover your detector needs service. Let’s protect your teams and the communities you serve.

📩 Email: sales@apollosafety.com

📞 Phone: 800-813-5408

🌐 Learn more: www.apollosafety.com

Source: Dermatology Advisor article

Earlier today, May 13th 2025, first responders in Bridgeport, Connecticut, responded to a reported gas leak in the 200 block of Westfield Avenue near Wayne Street. According to city officials, the Bridgeport Fire Department arrived on scene around 11:30 a.m. to assess the situation.

Crews immediately began metering the area to identify and contain the source of the leak. By 12:30 p.m., the incident was reported as under control and emergency units cleared the area. Thankfully, there were no reported evacuations or injuries.

This incident serves as an important reminder that gas leaks can occur anywhere, at any time, and the ability to respond quickly and safely relies on proper gas detection equipment and training.

At Apollo Safety, we work with fire departments, municipalities, and industrial facilities to ensure they are equipped with:

  • Reliable portable and fixed gas detectors
  • Regular calibrations and servicing
  • Emergency response support and education
  • The fastest turnaround times in the industry

Having the right gas detection tools on hand is critical to protecting both first responders and the public. If your department or facility needs help updating or maintaining your gas detection equipment, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us at 800-813-5408  📧 Email sales@apollosafety.com 🌐 Visit www.apollosafety.com

Source: Article originally reported by Liz Hardaway, CTPost, May 13, 2025. Read the full story here

On May 6, UL Standards & Engagement released its latest U.S. State Carbon Monoxide Risk Assessment Report, and the findings are a wake-up call for Massachusetts. You can view the full report here: ulse.org/news/us-state-co-risk-assessment-report

Massachusetts was ranked as a CO Safety Advocate, placing it in the middle tier of states across the country. While the state has made progress in adopting CO safety regulations, the report shows major gaps remain in health outcomes and public awareness.

The Risks Are Real

Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless, and potentially fatal. In Massachusetts, 86 percent of households rely on fuel sources that can produce CO. Combine that with harsh winter conditions and aging infrastructure, and the risk of exposure increases significantly.

The report revealed:

A 41 percent health outcome score

A 51 percent public awareness score

These numbers suggest that even with laws on the books, many residents remain vulnerable due to limited outreach, insufficient enforcement, or outdated detection systems.

What UL Recommends and How Apollo Safety Can Help

The report outlines several action items that align closely with what Apollo Safety advocates for every day:

  1. Expand community outreach and education, especially for renters, seniors, and low-income populations.
  2. Encourage widespread alarm installation with accessible and affordable equipment.
  3. Improve enforcement of current CO regulations to ensure real-world protection.

Apollo Safety can support these efforts with:

  1. Portable and fixed CO detectors for any setting
  2. In-house and on-site calibrations and services
  3. 24–48 hour turnaround times at our state-of-the-art service center
  4. Loaner options to keep your team covered at all times

Let’s Improve CO Safety Together

Here at Apollo Safety, we’ve been protecting lives with gas detection solutions for over 30 years. If you’re a property manager, public safety official, or community leader in Massachusetts, let’s talk about how we can help you implement better protection and comply with emerging standards.

📩 sales@apollosafety.com 📞 800-813-5408  🌐 www.apollosafety.com

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What You Need to Know About Gas Detection

Recent reports confirm that OSHA is increasing enforcement efforts across fire departments in Massachusetts, with a renewed focus on full compliance with workplace safety standards.  While many departments have strong safety procedures already in place, new inspections are making it clear: documentation, equipment maintenance, and proactive hazard prevention are now under the microscope.

At Apollo Safety, we understand the unique challenges fire departments face — and we’re here to help you meet these heightened standards head-on.

The Role of Gas Detection in OSHA Compliance

Under OSHA guidelines, fire departments must protect employees (including firefighters, EMTs, and hazmat teams) from known and foreseeable workplace hazards. That includes exposure to hazardous gases such as:

  • Carbon monoxide (CO)
  • Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)
  • Methane (CH₄)
  • Oxygen-deficient environments

Gas detection is not optional — it’s a critical part of hazard mitigation and required under OSHA’s General Duty Clause and several specific standards (including confined space entry requirements).

Key Gas Detection Compliance Steps for Fire Departments

1. Equip Your Teams with Portable Gas Detectors Every firefighter entering an unknown or potentially hazardous environment should carry a calibrated gas detector. This is vital for identifying dangerous atmospheres before exposure occurs.

2. Maintain and Calibrate Equipment Regularly OSHA requires that gas detection equipment be maintained and calibrated according to manufacturer specifications. Failing to properly calibrate or bump test monitors can lead to inaccurate readings — and violations.

3. Document Your Safety Procedures Written protocols for gas detection use, maintenance schedules, and employee training records are essential. In the event of an inspection, departments must be able to show they have a clear, enforced gas detection policy.

4. Train Your Personnel All firefighters must be trained on proper use of gas detection equipment, understanding alarm signals, and emergency response actions. Refresher training is recommended at least annually.

5. Work with Experts Choosing the right equipment, setting up maintenance programs, and ensuring documentation is inspection-ready can be complex. Partnering with a gas detection expert ensures your department stays ahead of OSHA requirements.

How Apollo Safety Can Help

Apollo Safety has been working with fire departments across New England for over 30 years, providing:

  • Portable and fixed gas detection solutions
  • Calibration services and Peace of Mind maintenance agreements
  • Equipment training and compliance support
  • Fastest turnaround times in the industry

We understand the urgency — and the stakes — of keeping your crew protected and compliant.

Concerned about your current gas detection program? Want to make sure you’re ready for an OSHA inspection?

Contact Apollo Safety today to speak with a gas detection expert. 📞 800-813-5408 | 📧 sales@apollosafety.com

Let’s work together to protect the protectors — and keep your department ready for whatever comes next.

May is shaping up to be a big month at Apollo Safety, and we’re excited to be out in the field connecting with the people who keep our infrastructure running safely and efficiently. If you work in wastewater, treatment facilities, or environmental health and safety, we’d love to see you at one of the three events we’re attending this month.

Here’s where you can find us:

CTWEA 2025 Wastewater Forum & Expo

📍 May 5 | Plantsville, CT

Hosted by the Connecticut Water Environment Association, this one-day event brings together utility professionals, engineers, and municipal leaders. We’ll be there showcasing our gas detection solutions and service contracts designed to support confined space safety, odor control, and compliance.

Learn More: https://www.ctwea.org/uploads/1/3/5/7/135707965/ctwea_spr_exhibit__002_.pdf

NEWEA Spring Meeting & Exhibit

📍 May 11–14 | Portland, ME

The New England Water Environment Association’s Spring Meeting is always a standout, and this year we’ll be in the exhibit hall discussing the tools that help wastewater pros stay safe on the job—including our portable gas detectors and new 1-year free calibration offer for all purchases.

Learn More: https://springmeeting.newea.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Exhibit_Spring25_ExhibitLtr.pdf

Rhode Island Rural Water Association Annual Conference

📍 May 29 | Kingston, RI

We’re closing the month with RIRWA’s annual event—an important gathering for rural water and wastewater professionals across the state of Rhode Island. Stop by to learn how Apollo Safety helps operators in smaller systems stay compliant and protected, even on tight budgets.

Learn More: https://rirwa.org/event/rirwa-annual-conference-and-golf-tournament/

Why Wastewater Professionals Trust Apollo Safety

For over 30 years, we’ve helped utility departments, treatment plants, and public works teams protect their people and stay compliant with OSHA, DEP, and confined space regulations. Our gas detection solutions are trusted by municipalities and private facilities alike—because safety isn’t optional in high-risk environments.

And this year, we’re proud to offer something new:

Every gas detector purchased through Apollo Safety comes with 1 full year of calibrations at no extra cost.

That’s one less budget item and one more reason to visit our booth.

Planning to Attend? Let’s Connect.

If you’ll be at any of these events, let us know! We’d love to schedule a time to chat, demo a product, or just say hello.

You can schedule a meeting using this link: https://calendly.com/kyleigh-barao-apollosafety to GUARANTEE our availability to speak with you! Trade shows and conferences can be overwhelming, plan ahead by scheduling out our time to meet in advance!

You can also reach us at sales@apollosafety.com or by calling 800-813-5408

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