Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue and Steamboat Springs Police helped save eight people from Carbon Monoxide poisoning today. They were in a rental unit that didn’t have any carbon monoxide detectors, which are required by Colorado law on each level of your home. Steamboat Springs Fire Chief Chuck Cerasoli said the eight people are fortunate to be alive. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas that can be deadly. Detectors are available at local hardware stores.
From City of Steamboat Springs; Dec. 14, 2023
Invisible Killer, Carbon Monoxide, Entails Persistent Vigilance
Carbon Monoxide Detector Should Be Placed On Each Level Of Your Home
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-December 14, 2023-An ‘Invisible Killer’ made a surprise visit to a local residence today, Carbon-Monoxide, also known as CO, kills more than 400 people and sends more than 100,000 people to the emergency room across the United States each year.
“Eight people are fortunate to be alive after they suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning in a local rental unit today,” commented Fire Chief Chuck Cerasoli. “Carbon monoxide strikes without notice, so make sure your home and/or rental unit has these lifesaving devices to alert you to his silent threat.”
Steamboat Spring Fire Rescue (SSFR) and Steamboat Springs Police Dept. (SSPD) responded to a call this morning involving multiple units. The unit that was the origination of the gas was a rental unit and did not have detectors. Eight residents were pulled from their units due to carbon monoxide and SSFR needed to clear the surrounding units before folks could return.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas produced by combustion, that can be DEADLY. Simple CO detectors, which cost about $15 each and are available at local hardware stores and general-merchandise stores, can be lifesavers.
Colorado law requires all rental (and for-sale property) units to have a CO detector within 15 feet of the door to any sleeping area (or installed per manufacturer’s recommendation). Owners are responsible for the initial installation of the detector and tenants for the general maintenance and notifying the owner if the unit is defective or a repair is needed. Test your CO detectors monthly to make sure that the batteries are fresh and working and that the lifesaving siren is audible.
Because CO is otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are like the flu (but without the fever) and include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. High level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, such as mental confusion, vomiting, loss of muscular coordination, loss of consciousness and ultimately death.
A carbon-monoxide alarm should never be ignored, nor should you try to find the source of gas. Instead, follow these steps:
- Immediately move outside to fresh air
- Call emergency services, fire department or 9-1-1
- Do a head count to check to account for everyone
- Do not reenter the premises until emergency responders have given permission to do so
“Give the gift that keeps giving all year long,” continued Cerasoli. “Consider making a smoke and carbon monoxide detector a holiday present every year for your family, friends or donate one to the local community thrift store for those who can’t afford this lifesaving device.”