Open Letter from Luhrmanns
March 02, 2006
Dear New Hampshire Legislator,
We're writing you in support of Amilia's Law, HB1711. Amilia Luhrmann, our beautiful five year old daughter was killed when our Moultonborough lakehouse exploded due to an open gas line in the basement of the house. The gas line was cut and left open by a carpenter hired by our contractor, who was repairing the kitchen cabinets on both sides of a gas stove. He cut the line and either he or the contractor later pushed the stove back in place, leaving the line open. The contractor should not have assigned that worker to disconnect or work with the gas stove; the worker should not have accepted the job, he was not properly trained to safely work with gas appliances. This was a second kitchen in a home that we continued to heat and use for weekends in the winter and early spring of 2003. We had no warning not to use the house nor the gas clothes dryer.
Opponents of this bill say this law would not have prevented our daughter's death. Of course, we'll never know. During the initial full committee review, Ted Evans, of the Plumbers Board, gave his opinion as a tradesman, that the law would have prevented the death of Amilia. Our tragedy should not be the subject of the debate. Instead, what should be considered is that there will be other situations when someone will be deciding if they should have an unlicensed person work on a gas system. We believe, law abiding citizens will not assign and/or the unlicensed person will not accept work when it's illegal. Licensing laws are certainly deterrents in some situations. We don't know if it would have made a difference for Amilia. If you have any question as to whether lives will be saved with this law, ask a fireman.
The simple fact is that these fuels are too dangerous to allow untrained workers. New Hampshire licenses more than 135 professions. While improper work in some of those professions could cause pollution or health risks, in most cases danger would not be imminent. However, if licensing and training should ever be mandated by the State, it is critical for those working with explosive fuel gases.
Please support Amilia's Law. For more information, please go to www.amiliaslaw.org
Sincerely,
Craig & Michelle Luhrmann
26 Loeffler Lane, Medfield, MA 02052
207 Hanson Dr., Moultonborough, NH
Carl & Margot Luhrmann (Grandparents)
59 Marblehead Rd, Windham, NH
207 Hanson Dr., Moultonborough, NH