IF YOU'RE in the habit of 'parking' with the engine running, you run the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Unless you have what is touted as the world's first 'electrochemical carbon monoxide detector specially designed for use in cars''.

Called the COProtector, the Singapore-made device is plugged into the cigarette lighter socket and will trigger an 80-decibel alarm should the CO level in the car exceed 100 parts per million.

It takes about 30 minutes of continued exposure to CO concentration of 3,200ppm to kill a healthy adult.

COProtector is sold at all NTUC FairPrice Xpress outlets in Esso kiosks at $59.90 each.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on May 3, 2008.