Even though it has been 10 years since the death of Carly Imbierowicz, who died of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, her family remains vigilant in its efforts to educate the public about the danger of CO and to provide CO detectors to people in need through the Carly Imbierowicz Foundation.

The foundation is named for the daughter of Donna and Matt Imbierowicz, who passed away at the age of 16 on Nov. 22, 2014, along with her friend Daulton Pointek, 17. They died from carbon monoxide poisoning in a vehicle as they drove home from a movie. At the time, both Carly and Daulton were students at Octorara Junior-Senior High School.

During November, which was Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month, the Carly Imbierowicz Foundation launched the "Operation Save A Family - Save A Pet" initiative, asking the public to donate new CO detectors, which will be distributed by the Cochranville Fire Company. Financial donations are also being accepted, which will be used to purchase additional detectors. Those who would like to make a donation to the effort may visit the foundation's website, http://www.cmiawareness.org.

"Our goal is to collect and distribute 250 CO detectors by the end of the year," said Donna. "Operation Save A Family - Save A Pet is a program where CO detectors are donated to fire houses. Cochranville Fire Company (members) were the first responders to (Carly and Daulton's) accident. Cochranville takes (the CO detectors) into communities. They determine where they are needed."

Donna is also working on donating CO detectors to the Keystone Valley Fire Department in Parkesburg for distribution at The Parkesburg POINT Youth Center.

The Imbierowicz family has been donating CO detectors to the Cochranville Fire Company for the past three years and plans to continue that effort. In November, the family supplied 118 detectors that were donated by Lowe's in Avon Grove, where Donna works.

Members of the Imbierowicz family, including Donna and Matt and Carly's brother, Andy, along with family friends Jenna Dowling and Emma, Maggi and Annie Arriviello, presented the donations to Judah Kocher, assistant fire chief, and Doug Lapp, deputy fire chief.

The family also brought along Foxy, an English mastiff, which is the offspring of Carly's dog, Malachi. Foxy was presented with a fire company T-shirt. The family bred Malachi in memory of Carly, nicknaming Malachi's 11 puppies as CO Awareness Angels. Those who adopted the dogs agreed to share Carly's story.

Donna said that creating the foundation is a way to honor Carly's memory and provide an important service in the community.

"It's hard especially this time of year because it is near the anniversary (of Carly's death)," said Donna. "(These efforts are) part of healing process. We are trying to keep her spirit alive."

According to http://www.cmiawareness.org, carbon monoxide is called the "silent killer" because it does not have an odor. Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include dizziness, headache, fatigue or weakness, coughing, irregular breathing, chest pain and disorientation.

However, CO poisoning is preventable. In the case of Carly and Daulton, a broken exhaust pipe allowed the CO gas to enter the car through the passenger air vents. The teenagers did not know there was CO entering the car, and they died within minutes.

To prevent CO poisoning in vehicles, it is recommended that people have their car's exhaust system and mufflers inspected regularly and maintained. Also, people should not warm up their vehicle in the garage with the garage door down or partially down. On snowy days, vehicle owners should remove snow or ice that might be blocking the vehicle's tail pipe. Those who are stuck in traffic or sitting in the car when it is idling should partially open a window. Finally, battery-operated CO detectors are available that can be placed in cars and trucks.

The website also offers tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in homes. Homeowners should have their home heating system inspected regularly. Generators or other gasoline-powered engines should never be run inside the home. Always make sure the vents on fireplaces are open when burning a fire. Chimneys should be cleaned and inspected every year. All homes should have battery-powered CO detectors. Like smoke detectors, batteries in CO detectors should be checked in the spring and fall of each year.

For additional tips or to learn more about the foundation, visit the previously mentioned website.