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S. HRG. 111–520 

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING: 

SOUNDING THE ALARM ON A SILENT KILLER 

HEARING 

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, 

PRODUCT SAFETY, AND INSURANCE 

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, 

SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION 

UNITED STATES SENATE 

ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

DECEMBER 17, 2009 

Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 

( 

(II) 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION 

ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, West Virginia, Chairman 

DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii 

JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts 

BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota 

BARBARA BOXER, California 

BILL NELSON, Florida 

MARIA CANTWELL, Washington 

FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey 

MARK PRYOR, Arkansas 

CLAIRE MCCASKILL, Missouri 

AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota 

TOM UDALL, New Mexico 

MARK WARNER, Virginia 

MARK BEGICH, Alaska 

KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas, Ranking 

OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, Maine 

JOHN ENSIGN, Nevada 

JIM DEMINT, South Carolina 

JOHN THUNE, South Dakota 

ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi 

GEORGE S. LEMIEUX, Florida 

JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia 

DAVID VITTER, Louisiana 

SAM BROWNBACK, Kansas 

MIKE JOHANNS, Nebraska 

ELLEN L. DONESKI, Staff Director 

JAMES REID, Deputy Staff Director 

BRUCE H. ANDREWS, General Counsel 

ANN BEGEMAN, Acting Republican Staff Director 

BRIAN M. HENDRICKS, Republican Chief Counsel 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, PRODUCT SAFETY, AND 

INSURANCE 

MARK PRYOR, Arkansas, Chairman 

BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota 

BARBARA BOXER, California 

BILL NELSON, Florida 

CLAIRE MCCASKILL, Missouri 

AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota 

TOM UDALL, New Mexico 

ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi, Ranking 

OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, Maine 

JIM DEMINT, South Carolina 

JOHN THUNE, South Dakota 

JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia 

DAVID VITTER, Louisiana 

(III) 

C O N T E N T S 

Page 

Hearing held on December 17, 2009 ...................................................................... 1 

Statement of Senator Pryor .................................................................................... 1 

Statement of Senator Klobuchar ............................................................................ 2 

WITNESSES

Alan Korn, Executive Director, Safe Kids USA .................................................... 4 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 6 

Cheryl Burt of Rochester, Minnesota ..................................................................... 9 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 12 

John Andres, Director of Engineering, Kidde Residential and Commercial ....... 13 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 15 

Hon. Kelvin J. Cochran, Administrator, United States Fire Administration, 

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security ......................................................................................................................... 16 

Prepared statement .......................................................................................... 18 

APPENDIX

The Home Safety Council, prepared statement .................................................... 27 

Letter, dated December 17, 2009 to Hon. Mark Pryor and Hon. Roger Wicker 

from Evan R. Gaddis, President and CEO—National Electrical Manufacturers Association; Richard W. Chace, Chief Executive Officer—Security Industry Association; and Michael A. Miller, President—Electronic Security Association .................................................................................................................... 28 

Response to written questions submitted to Alan Korn by: 

Hon. Mark Pryor ............................................................................................... 29 

Hon. Tom Udall ................................................................................................ 30 

Response to written questions submitted to Cheryl Burt by: 

Hon. Mark Pryor ............................................................................................... 31 

Response to written questions submitted to John Andres by: 

Hon. Mark Pryor ............................................................................................... 31 

Response to written question submitted to Hon. Kelvin J. Cochran by: 

Hon. Mark Pryor ............................................................................................... 32 

Hon. Tom Udall ................................................................................................ 32 

(1) 

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING: 

SOUNDING THE ALARM ON A SILENT KILLER 

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009 

U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, PRODUCT

SAFETY, AND INSURANCE, COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION, Washington, DC. 

The Subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:33 p.m. in room 

SR–253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Mark Pryor, Chairman of the Subcommittee, presiding. 

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARK PRYOR, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM ARKANSAS 

Senator PRYOR. I would like to call this hearing to order. 

Today’s subcommittee hearing will consider, the risk of carbon 

monoxide poisoning and steps consumers can take to protect themselves from exposure. As the Chairman of the Consumer Protection 

Subcommittee, I believe this is an important consumer protection 

issue that requires this Committee’s scrutiny and collaboration. 

Where consumers are being harmed by safety risk or product defects, my colleagues and I work hard to protect them. Senator Klobuchar, who’s been a leader in the area of carbon monoxide poisoning prevention, has introduced S. 1216, the Residential Carbon 

Monoxide Safety Act. Today we will consider her legislation. And 

I commend her for her excellent efforts in this area, and I look forward to this afternoon’s discussion. And I want the witnesses and 

the audience to know that we’re here because she requested this 

hearing and it’s part of her leadership on this issue. 

We’re joined by an expert panel of witnesses who have agreed to 

testify before us. They will share with us their insights regarding 

carbon monoxide poisoning prevention. I welcome them, and I 

thank them for their presence and contributions here today. 

Our witnesses will present their remarks on one panel, and 

they’re already set up. And each of you will have 5 minutes to deliver your oral statement, and then we will have an opportunity to 

ask questions and follow up on some of your opening statements. 

Your written statements will also be included in the record, so if 

you want to abbreviate your testimony, that’s up to you. 

Carbon monoxide is known as the ‘‘silent killer,’’ because it is 

elusive. We can neither see it, nor taste it, nor smell it. And each 

year in the United States, approximately 500 people die, and there 

are 4,000 hospitalizations that occur as a result of it, and about 

20,000 emergency department visits from this every year. 

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I look forward to learning more about this issue, and I look forward to the witnesses’ testimony. 

But, first, Senator Klobuchar. 

STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR, 

U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Well, thank you very much, Senator Pryor. 

And thank you for your leadership for this Committee, really. You 

have always been there on the front line. I remember the pool safety bill, and there was a family—maybe Ms. Burt remembers this— 

from Minnesota, that, tragically, lost a little girl. Senator Pryor 

was right there, and got that bill done. And I’m hopeful the same 

thing will happen with the legislation that I’ve introduced here. 

I first wanted to recognize Cheryl Burt. I was thinking, as Senator Pryor said, asking to have this hearing, quite a day to do it. 

Most people might have thought we’d be out of session, but I just 

had hope we’d still be here. And I’m glad that it all worked out for 

everyone. 

But, when I think about what motivates me to get this thing 

done and keep moving with this legislation, it would be someone 

like Cheryl Burt. She’s from Rochester, Minnesota, the home of the 

Mayo Clinic, and she’s been a leading and tireless advocate for carbon monoxide awareness. 

She, tragically, lost two of her sons to carbon monoxide poisoning 

14 years ago. Cheryl’s here today to share with us her important 

story and to help educate us on the importance of carbon monoxide 

alarms in the home. So, I first wanted to welcome her, and thank 

her for coming, along with the other witnesses. 

In my State of Minnesota and across large sections of this country, winter temperatures arrived a few weeks ago. And they’ll likely stick around for a while. That means our home furnaces, fireplaces, and chimneys will be getting a good workout over the next 

several months. And with that comes a danger: the potential for accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Known as the ‘‘silent killer,’’ carbon monoxide is an odorless, 

colorless, poisonous gas produced by burning fuel like propane, kerosene, natural gas, gasoline, and charcoal. These deadly fumes can 

leak from family furnaces, from water heaters, or from stoves. They 

can be trapped inside by a blocked chimney or a flue. Other sources 

include, running a car engine in an attached garage, burning charcoal in the house, or operating a gas-powered generator in a confined place. 

When inhaled, carbon monoxide is quickly absorbed into the 

blood, and it becomes deadly when it replaces the blood’s oxygen. 

Early symptoms of this kind of poisoning are sometimes confused 

with the flu, with symptoms like headache, nausea, fatigue, and 

dizziness. 

About 500 people die every year in America due to accidental 

carbon monoxide poisoning. Another 150,000 people end up in the 

emergency room—150,000 a year. Children are especially vulnerable. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 92 Minnesotans 

died of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning between 2002 and 

2006. This need not happen. 

3 

One of the simplest and most effective defenses against this insidious killer is the installation of a carbon monoxide alarm in the 

home. You don’t just take my word for it, the American Red Cross, 

the Mayo Clinic, and American Lung Association all recommend 

the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in the home. 

In Minnesota, this isn’t just good advice, it’s the law. Since 2008, 

all homes in our State are required to have working carbon monoxide alarms. Nationally, however, it’s estimated that fewer than 

30 percent of homes actually have them. And so, we’re here today 

to think about ways to get more families to install carbon monoxide 

detectors in their homes. 

We’re also here today to talk about legislation that I’ve introduced, along with Senator Bill Nelson, which would require the 

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to enforce stronger 

standards to protect people against the deadly dangers of carbon 

monoxide. It’s called the ‘‘Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 

Prevention Act.’’ It includes three key provisions: 

First, it would strengthen the safety standards for carbon monoxide alarms. Currently the Consumer Product Safety Commission 

has set voluntary safety standards for carbon monoxide alarms 

which are underwritten—which are written by Underwriter Laboratories. The legislation would make these safety standards mandatory for all carbon monoxide alarms sold in the United States. 

This is especially important in my State, because substandard 

alarms tend to fail in low humidity areas, like Minnesota’s cold, 

dry winters. 

Second, this legislation would require the Consumer Product 

Safety Commission to determine whether portable generators sold 

in the U.S. can be equipped with safety mechanisms that detect the 

level of carbon monoxide in the surrounding area, and then automatically turn off. 

In recent years, carbon monoxide deaths caused by generators 

have been on the increase. It typically happens after natural disasters, like hurricanes—that’s why Senator Nelson is so interested in 

this legislation in Florida—or ice storms, something I might be 

more interested in, when there’s a power outage and people are 

tempted to use generators in their homes. 

Last year, events tragically drove this point home. In 2008, two 

men and a boy died in a Minneapolis home from carbon monoxide 

poisoning due to the use of a portable generator in the home. 

And finally, the bill authorizes the CPSC to provide grants to 

States with laws on the books that promote the inclusion of carbon 

monoxide detectors in apartment buildings and new homes. 

You know, when someone dies from accidental carbon monoxide 

poisoning, it’s not just a private tragedy; it’s a public tragedy, too, 

because we know that so often we could have prevented these 

deaths with the right safeguards. 

When I was a prosecutor, I was always frustrated by—that by 

the time a case got to our office, the damage had already been 

done, the crime had already been committed. I knew that the best 

way to protect public safety was to prevent the crime in the first 

place. 

4 

And on this committee, we’re in the position to protect families 

and prevent unnecessary accidents from ever happening at all. 

That’s what we want to do with this carbon monoxide legislation. 

And so, we are here today to sound the alarm on a ‘‘silent killer.’’ 

That is carbon monoxide poisoning. 

I look forward to hearing from our witnesses. 

Thank you, Senator Pryor. 

Senator PRYOR. Thank you. 

And we’re going to—what I’m going to do is just briefly introduce 

all four witnesses on the panel, and then just let you give your testimony. I’d love to do it—keep it to 5 minutes, if at all possible. 

First, we have Alan Korn. He’s the Executive Director and General Counsel for Safe Kids USA. Then we have Cheryl Burt, of 

Rochester, Minnesota. Then we have—is it John Andres? 

Mr. ANDRES. Andres. 

Senator PRYOR. Yes. He is the Director of Engineering, Kidde 

Residential and Commercial Division. And then we have Kelvin 

Cochran, the U.S. Fire Administrator, U.S. Fire Administration, 

Department of Homeland Security. 

So, I want to welcome all of you all to the Subcommittee today. 

Thank you for your time. I know it’s late in December, and you 

probably have a lot of other things you could be doing today. But, 

thank you very much for your preparation and, for those of you 

who traveled—those of you—we appreciate you very much. 

So, Mr. Korn, do you want to lead off? 

STATEMENT OF ALAN KORN, 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAFE KIDS USA 

Mr. KORN. Chairman Pryor and Senator Klobuchar, thank you 

for giving me the opportunity to testify here today on such an important injury prevention topic—carbon monoxide poisoning—one 

that, in our view, gets very little attention. So, we very much appreciate the opportunity to increase the discourse here today. 

This subcommittee knows very well that Safe Kids USA spends 

just about every waking moment working to protect children from 

their number-one killer: unintentional injury. This subcommittee, 

and, quite frankly, Senator Pryor and Senator Klobuchar, have 

been very helpful in that effort throughout the years. We know 

children and children’s safety are in good hands with these two 

Members of Congress. That help continues here today. 

The vast majority of Americans don’t realize that the number-one 

killer of children is injury. It’s not cancer. It’s not obesity. It’s not 

violence. It’s not abduction. It’s car crashes, drownings, fire and 

burns, and yes, poisoning, like carbon monoxide. So, as far as I 

know, this is the first time Congress has ever had a fully dedicated 

hearing to CO poisoning, and we think it’s about time. So, thank 

you very much, Senator Klobuchar and Senator Pryor. 

I have a portion in my testimony where I kind of talk about how 

it happens, and what the results are. But, Senator Klobuchar, I 

think you addressed that pretty clearly in your testimony. I’ll do 

it by way of making two analogies: 

One is, this is not like smoke. Smoke, at least arguably, you can 

see in the home. You can taste it. You can smell it. There’s at least 

an opportunity for you to react to it and get out of the home. By 

5 

the way, I’m not making a case for not having smoke alarms; 

they’re very, very important. But, carbon monoxide, you cannot see, 

you cannot smell, so that makes detection all the more important. 

And I’m reminded of a story, along with the Burt’s story, of a 

family of four who died in Maryland. They found the father dead 

in his bathroom on the floor, with shaving cream on his face. That’s 

how quickly it happened to him. Two children died, and the mother, and, Senators, they found the dog dead on the mat. There was 

no opportunity to detect that this was happening, because there 

was no carbon monoxide detector in the home. They had an attached garage, and they left a car running. 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk, just briefly, about a couple prevention opportunities here and what—how we think these things can 

be prevented. Then I’ll talk more specifically about your piece of 

legislation, Senator. 

Number one, and the most important thing—in fact, the two 

most important things—are, if you have a source of combustible 

fuel in the home, you’d better darn well have a carbon monoxide 

detector in your home. I do, on each level of my home, outside my 

sleeping area, and in the living areas of my home. They’re not expensive. This is a safety device that’s not used enough. It’s not like 

smoke alarms, which are in the vast majority of homes. These are 

still highly underutilized. Your legislation, Senator, is going to help 

get these into homes. I’ll talk about that in a second. 

The second concept in prevention is to prevent it from happening 

in the first place; that is, the CO entering the home. So, check your 

gas appliances, get them installed by professionals, per the manufacturer’s instructions—quite frankly, something I should do better—every year, getting your gas appliances checked. 

A couple other things, and then I’ll talk briefly about your legislation. 

Never, ever, ever use your gas ranges or your ovens to heat your 

home. That happens. That’s a source of carbon monoxide. And don’t 

leave your cars running near the home or in an attached garage. 

You talked about portable generators. It seems that far too many 

people use their generators inside their home, an opportunity for 

CO to build up in the home, and that’s when the deaths and injuries happen, to the tune of about 500 a year across the entire injury risk area. 

Of course, the Residential Carbon Monoxide Prevention Act, if 

passed, is going to help us greatly in these prevention efforts. And 

we very much appreciate your leadership on this. 

The bill does much, but I’m going to talk about two things on it: 

One is the State Incentive Grant Program. If passed, it would establish an Incentive Grant Program, as you said, to encourage 

States to pass CO laws that require approved alarms be installed 

in commercial dwellings and construction—new construction. Congress has used incentive grants many, many times before. We 

think the philosophy is a sound one for booster seats, .08, pool safety legislation, which both of you were supportive of. So, this is 

quite consistent with that philosophy. 

I would make one change to the bill, and I’ll work with your staff 

on that. Right now it applies to just rental properties, new construction and it just applies to commercial residential properties. 

6 

Existing, older homes are just as important; in fact, I believe, even 

more important, because they’ve got the older gas appliances—I 

think you’re going to hear from the Burts on that matter, particularly—and they have the tendency to be faulty and fall into disrepair. So, for the existing homes, also, like we do for pools, like 

we do for booster seats—we don’t require booster seats in just new 

cars, it’s all cars—so, we would like you to consider that change. 

And then, there’s a second concept here, with—which is your 

mandatory standard—I’m running out of time—we’re quite supportive of that. I’m happy to talk with you on why we think a mandatory standard serves a better and more vibrant prevention aspect 

than a voluntary standard. 

I will say, I’m not worried about these carbon monoxide detectors. This is a pretty good company, with a very good reputation. 

But, a mandatory standard helps us police the marketplace a little 

better, just in case we don’t have the good companies and products 

out there. 

And one final point. When parents reply on this to serve a safety 

purpose, we believe it better serve that safety purpose. And it’s 

nice to have a mandatory standard in place to make sure that it 

meets that goal so that we, who have these up in our homes—they 

behave and react the way their supposed to. We rely on it too 

greatly. 

So, thank you very much. Sorry to go over for just a few seconds. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Korn follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF ALAN KORN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAFE KIDS USA 

My name is Alan Korn, and I am the Executive Director of Safe Kids USA, a 

member country of Safe Kids Worldwide. Safe Kids thanks the Senate Commerce, 

Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, 

and Insurance, and in particular Senator Pryor and Senator Klobuchar, for holding 

a hearing on carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning prevention. 

I. History of Safe Kids Worldwide 

Safe Kids Worldwide is the first and only international organization dedicated 

solely to addressing an often under recognized problem: More children ages 1–14 in 

the U.S. are being killed by what people call ‘‘accidents’’ (motor vehicle crashes, fires, 

drownings and other injuries) than by any other cause. Safe Kids Worldwide unites 

more than 600 coalitions in 19 countries, bringing together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, policymakers and volunteers to educate 

and protect families against the dangers of accidental injuries. Our USA network 

includes coalitions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 

Founded in 1987 by the Children’s National Medical Center and with support 

from Johnson & Johnson, Safe Kids Worldwide and its member country, Safe Kids 

USA, rely on developing injury prevention strategies that work in the real world— 

conducting public outreach and awareness campaigns, organizing and implementing 

hands-on grassroots events, and working to make injury prevention a public policy 

priority. 

The ongoing work of Safe Kids coalitions reaching out to local communities with 

injury prevention messages has contributed to a decline in the childhood unintentional injury death rate by 45 percent since 1987. However, with more children still 

dying from accidental injury than from cancer, heart disease and birth defects, Safe 

Kids Worldwide, Safe Kids USA and its fellow member countries remain committed 

to reducing unintentional injury by implementing prevention strategies and increasing public awareness of the problem and its solutions. 

II. The Problem: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 

Carbon monoxide is often called the ‘‘silent killer’’ since you cannot see it, smell 

it or taste it. This colorless, odorless gas is responsible for more than 500 unintentional deaths, approximately 20,000 emergency department visits and more than 

4,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States. 

7 

Significantly, however, because symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu, 

food poisonings and other common ailments, it is possible that many deaths have 

not been classified as CO poisoning and as a result, the number of fatalities, injuries 

and hospitalizations could be much higher than reported. CO is produced when any 

fuel is incompletely burned—potentially resulting in flu-like illnesses, such as dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea, and irregular breathing. Common fuel-burning appliances, like furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, and space 

heaters can produce lethal amounts of CO under certain conditions. Motor vehicles 

are another common source. 

Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of CO. They are more susceptible to carbon monoxide and may experience symptoms sooner than a healthy 

adult. Due to their smaller bodies, children process CO differently than adults and 

may be more severely affected by carbon monoxide in their blood. According to the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 1999–2004, 135 children ages 14 

and under died from unintentional, non-fire related CO poisoning. Every year, more 

than 25 children ages 14 and under die from unintentional CO poisoning. 

Regardless of who is affected by CO, the treatment for CO is the same—oxygen 

therapy to treat symptoms and to lower carbon monoxide levels in the blood or the 

use of a full-body hyperbaric chamber that applies air pressure to remove the carbon 

monoxide faster. For those who survive a carbon monoxide poisoning, the long-term 

effects can be severe. Victims have reported memory loss, impaired motor skills and 

heart and lung problems. Often times, they deal with the CO injury for the rest of 

their lives. 

III. The Solution: Installation of Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Other 

Prevention Tips 

A. Installing Carbon Monoxide Alarms Is a Must in Many Types of Homes 

The frustrating thing about CO poisonings is that many of these incidents can be 

prevented. The single most effective safety device available to reduce injuries and 

fatalities related to carbon monoxide poisonings is a CO alarm. A CO alarm in the 

home can give families an early warning when concentrations of carbon monoxide 

reach dangerous levels. It is estimated that CO alarms may prevent half of such 

related deaths from occurring. CO alarms are not only lifesaving devices, they are 

also cost effective. A CO alarm costs as little as $20, about the same as 2 movie 

tickets. Since many CO alarms should be replaced every 7 years, this cost equals 

less than a penny a day. A very small price given the protection they provide. 

An improperly installed or poorly maintained CO alarm is often an ineffective 

alarm. Homeowners should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. Safe Kids, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and other injury prevention organizations recommend that a CO alarm be installed in the hallway outside the bedrooms in each separate sleeping area of the home. Safe Kids also 

recommends that an alarm be installed on each level of the home to ensure proper 

detection coverage. To avoid false alarms, however, do not place the device in kitchens above fuel burning appliances. Hard-wired or plug in alarms should always 

have battery-back up and/or separate additional alarms that are battery operated 

just in case power is lost in the home. Check your CO alarm each month and replace the batteries every year when you change the time on your clocks each spring 

and fall. 

B. Other Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Tips 

Safe Kids USA and its network have long worked to educate parents across the 

country on the need for rapid detection of carbon monoxide and have distributed CO 

alarms to countless families in need. Safe Kids knows, however, that installing CO 

alarms is not enough. All homeowners who live in residences with a source of combustible fuel or an attached garage, especially those homes with children, should always follow these additional, basic, prevention tips: 

1. Never, ever ignore a CO detector that is alarming. It is warning you of the 

presence of a very dangerous poison. Do not try and find the source of the CO. 

Immediately go outside to fresh air and then call 9–1–1. Once outside, at your 

pre-determined, designated meeting place, do a head count to check if all persons are accounted for. Do not go back inside until you are given the ‘‘all clear’’ 

from the professionals; 

2. Never leave a running vehicle closely adjacent to a home or in an attached 

garage even if the garage is open. Running cars are a common source of CO 

poisoning; 

3. Make sure appliances are installed and operated according to manufacturer’s 

instructions and have heating systems like gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas 

8 

ranges and ovens, gas or kerosene space heaters and fireplaces professionally 

checked and serviced annually to ensure proper operation. Make certain that 

flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition and not blocked; 

4. Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent. The same goes 

for portable generators that are often used when there is a power loss (i.e., like 

during a hurricane). Generators should be used outside and placed at a safe distance from the home; and 

5. Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat 

your home. 

IV. Support for State Carbon Monoxide Alarm Laws 

Safe Kids knows that the installation of carbon monoxide alarms will go a long 

way to protecting children and their families from the dangers associated with CO. 

Safe Kids and our network of coalitions have strongly advocated for the passage of 

these state laws requiring residential CO alarms in order to properly protect entire 

families from this silent killer. 

Currently, 23 states and some local jurisdictions have passed legislation requiring 

the use of CO alarms in some types of residences (Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, 

Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, 

Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode 

Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin). These laws have 

proven to be effective. One study shows a dramatic correlation between CO alarm 

ordinances in cities and lower death rates from CO. In Los Angeles, where CO 

alarms are not mandatory, 15 percent of CO exposures were fatal. Compare this to 

Chicago, where CO alarms are required and only 0.4 percent of people exposed to 

carbon monoxide died. 

Safe Kids notes that the existing 23 laws mentioned above are a patchwork of requirements. Some states only require a CO alarm in newly constructed homes (Florida, Connecticut and Georgia). Others require a CO alarm installation when the 

home is sold or otherwise transferred or remodeled (New Jersey, Maine and 

Vermont). Some just apply to rental properties or hotels (North Carolina, Montana, 

Maine) or day care centers (Tennessee and Texas). Only six approach the safety coverage that we think is appropriate given the insidious nature of the poison (Illinois, 

Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin). Clearly, there 

are safety gaps in coverage around the country that need to be closed. Specifically, 

all dwellings, no matter what the type, should have a CO alarm if the dwelling relies on the combustion of fossil fuels for heat, power or if the home has an attached 

garage. Safe Kids hopes that the incentive grant program contained in the pending 

law as discussed and improved below, would motivate that comprehensive coverage 

around the country (See Section V(A) below). 

V. Support for the Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act 

(S. 1216 and H.R. 1296) 

Safe Kids USA strongly supports the Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act. (S. 1216 and H.R. 1296). We applaud the leadership of the legislation’s 

sponsors, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Ben Nelson and Representative Jim 

Matheson in the House of Representatives, for the introduction of this critical safety 

measure which will help prevent the potentially deadly effects of CO poisoning. 

A. State Incentive Grant Program for CO Alarms 

If passed, the Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act would establish an incentive grant program to encourage states to pass CO alarm laws that 

require approved CO alarms be installed in all commercial dwelling units and all 

new dwelling unit construction. We know that congressional incentive grants to encourage states to pass safety legislation are not a new concept and have worked in 

the past. Congress has used this mechanism to promote state transportation safety 

laws as well as pool safety laws. The passage of the Residential Carbon Monoxide 

Poisoning Prevention Act could do for CO prevention what incentive grants have 

done for booster seat child occupant protection laws, primary enforcement safety 

belt laws, .08 drunk driving laws and open container prohibition laws. In each of 

these cases, incentive grants motivated states to do the right thing. Today, for instance, all but three states (South Dakota, Florida and Arizona) have some form of 

a booster seat law and many of these states were motivated by the Federal attention. 

Safe Kids does note, however, that the legislation as drafted and as mentioned 

above only applies to commercial dwellings and new construction dwellings. The law 

does not promote, through the incentive grant program, states to require alarms in 

single family, existing dwellings. Safe Kids believes that CO alarms obviously serve 

9 

a very important role in these structures also. In fact, it is more important that 

these dwellings have these safety devices given that most CO poisonings happen in 

older, existing homes that have older gas appliances that are more likely to malfunction or fall in disrepair. This Subcommittee and the bill’s sponsors should consider adding a requirement that conditions the awarded grant on not only installing 

CO alarms in commercial dwellings and new construction, but also existing, single 

family homes. Safety will be well served by this addition. 

B. Mandatory Safety Standard for Carbon Monoxide Alarms 

The legislation would also ensure the quality of CO alarms available for sale in 

the marketplace by requiring a mandatory safety standard for these devices. Presently, CO alarms sold are only subject to a voluntary standard. There is no requirement that they meet basic safety characteristics. We believe they should. Parents 

(and all homeowners for that matter) rely on these devices to serve a critical safety 

purpose—to alarm before CO amounts reach dangerous levels. Given this special reliance, consumers should be completely confident that they work as purported. A 

mandatory standard, with its accompanying and heightened government policing, 

will supply that confidence. 

Congress, the Senate Commerce Committee and Federal agencies of jurisdiction 

have agreed with and implemented this philosophy on many occasions. Products of 

special characteristics or that serve a safety purpose that, in the past, have only 

been subject to a voluntary standard are now (or soon will be) subject to a mandatory standard. Those products include, bike helmets (pursuant to the Consumer 

Product Safety Act), pool and spa drain covers (pursuant to the Virginia Graeme 

Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act), and toys, ATVs, cribs, baby bath seats, play yards, 

and bassinets (pursuant to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act). Carbon 

monoxide alarms share these special characteristics and, therefore, should be subject to a mandatory standard. 

Significantly, Congress has recently addressed and supported this very concept. 

In the recently passed CPSC Reauthorization legislation, the Conferees on that law 

stated: 

The Conferees support carbon monoxide devices being installed in all residential 

dwelling units and support the efforts of individual states that have enacted 

legislation requiring the installation of carbon monoxide devices in homes and 

other dwelling places. The Conferees believe the CPSC should consider the adoption of the American national Standards Institute/Underwriters Laboratories 

standards ANSI/UL 2034 . . . for carbon monoxide devices sold in the United 

States. . . . (Emphasis added.) 

The pending Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act is completely 

consistent with that past Congressional directive. Passage of the law will accomplish 

it. 

VI. Conclusion 

As carbon monoxide-related injuries and deaths can easily be prevented, parents, 

caregivers, state and Federal policymakers, and communities must make this issue 

a priority. Safe Kids commends Senator Klobuchar and Senator Nelson, along with 

the other members of this subcommittee, for promoting awareness of this hidden 

hazard to the public. We look forward to working with you on any efforts designed 

to protect children from poisoning-related injury and death. 

Senator PRYOR. Thank you. 

Ms. Burt. 

STATEMENT OF CHERYL BURT OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA 

Ms. BURT. Good afternoon. My name is Cheryl Burt, and I’m 

from Rochester, Minnesota. And thank you, Chairman Pryor and 

members of the Committee, for giving me the opportunity to talk 

about carbon monoxide poisoning. And I’d like to thank Senator 

Klobuchar for inviting me to tell my story. I commend her and Senator Nelson for their commitment to take the issue of CO awareness to a national level. 

When you have a fire in your home, you know it. You can see 

the smoke, you can smell the fumes, feel the heat. And since smoke 

10 

alarms have been required in homes for many years, chances are 

you will also hear that smoke alarm sound. 

When you have carbon monoxide in your home, you cannot see 

it. You cannot taste it. You cannot smell it. You will feel its effects—a headache, nausea, dizziness—but you don’t realize that 

you’re being poisoned. You don’t comprehend the danger, and, if 

you do, you are completely helpless to take action to save yourself 

or your family. I know. Fourteen years ago this January, carbon 

monoxide poisoned my family and killed two of my three children. 

Let me start by saying that I lived by life’s safety rules. I had 

smoke alarms in my home. I used safety gates, child locks, and I 

thought my home was safe. And I was wrong. 

On this particular evening, I progressively got sicker and sicker 

with what I thought was a family-sized case of the flu. In fact, I 

had brought my sons to the doctor each week for about 2 months, 

with different symptoms, and I knew something was wrong. But, 

everyone, including the doctors, thought I was overreacting. 

I now know that by the time we reached the doctors, my sons 

had received enough fresh air that—the CO was causing them to 

be sick, and it had dissipated. But, back then I never thought that 

we were being poisoned. By the time I realized something was terribly wrong, I didn’t have any idea just how terribly wrong it really 

was. I didn’t realize that my babies were dying, just rooms away 

from me. And I couldn’t help them, or even help myself. 

A carbon monoxide alarm would have saved my children’s lives, 

but I didn’t have one in my home. And that night, my two youngest 

children died in their sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning due to 

a malfunctioning furnace. The rest of my family, while we were severely injured, we managed to survive this horrible experience, 

only to wake up the next afternoon in the hospital with our lives 

tragically changed forever. 

I was asked to give testimony today, to give reasons why I support S. 1216, which would give States that passed CO alarm laws 

incentives to raise awareness, and would require a mandatory 

standard for all CO alarms in the U.S. I can give you three very 

good, very precious reasons for my support: Nicholas Todd Burt, 

Zachary Todd Burt, and Ryan Todd Burt. 

Excuse me. 

My little Nick turned 4 years old just 8 days before he died. In 

fact, we had been too sick to have his birthday party. I now know 

that our illness was really the beginning of carbon monoxide poisoning. But, at that time, we had decided to wait to celebrate, once 

we all got better. And that day never came. He’s my reason number 

one. 

Reason number two is Zach. Zach was just shy of 16 months old 

when he died. I had woken up with Zach many, many times during 

that horrible night. And looking back, I should have realized that 

something was very, very wrong in my home. But, I was too sick, 

I was too poisoned to know. Instead it was Zach who I could not 

pick up to rock back to sleep. It was Zach who had trouble breathing. And the carbon monoxide just made me too weak to lift him 

up or to soothe him. Instead, I hung onto his crib rails, I was trying 

to keep myself standing, trying to keep from passing out, and I 

prayed he would just go back to sleep. I wanted to go to bed, myVerDate Nov 24 2008 15:09 Aug 30, 2010 Jkt 052754 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6601 S:\WPSHR\GPO\DOCS\54920.TXT SCOM1 PsN: JACKIE
11 

self. I listened to his labored breathing, and I was unable to comprehend the danger that my baby was in. I was unable to realize 

that he was dying. And now I listen to Zach’s labored breathing 

every night in my sleep, and I would give anything to have that 

night back, to have been able to think clearly and save my baby. 

Reason number three is Ryan. Ryan was 5-and-a-half when we 

were poisoned. He barely survived. He’s lived the past 14 years 

with the knowledge that, while he lived, his two brothers died right 

next to him. And that weighs on a 19-year-old’s mind, believe me. 

What haunts me is that I could have prevented their deaths. As 

a mother, I felt I should have prevented it. I knew a little about 

carbon monoxide poisoning, and I knew about alarms. But, I didn’t 

realize their lifesaving value. In fact, just a few weeks before this 

incident happened, I was shopping for the holidays, like we are 

now, with a friend, and we talked about buying alarms. And I 

opted to buy my son Nick another toy truck, instead, for his birthday. And now I have that truck, but I do not have my son. 

In the years since my children died, I have made it my mission 

to tell anyone who will listen about the need for CO alarms in our 

home. I’ve heard from families who have bought an alarm because 

of my story, and who later had that alarm sound, saving their lives 

or lives of their loved ones. These stories are why I continue to do 

my part to raise awareness. 

Knowledge is power. We warn about all sorts of health and safety issues—the flu, H1N1, proper seatbelt usage, other dangers— 

but, there is no national awareness about CO poisoning. And I 

won’t rest until every family has a CO alarm in their home. 

This bill would help provide funding to educate people about carbon monoxide dangers and the need for those alarms. 

Thank you. 

This December 28 would have been Nick’s 18th birthday. He 

would be graduating from high school. Zach would be 15, probably 

just getting his driver’s permit. And I often think of how different 

my life would be today if I had a CO alarm in my home. 

I wish, with all my heart, that my State would have had a law 

in 1996, like the one that we have now, requiring all homes to have 

a CO alarm. I know, without a doubt, that I would have had one 

in my home. Had there been more public education at that time, 

I would’ve bought that alarm that day, instead of that toy truck, 

and I would not be speaking before you today. There would be no 

need. 

Instead of extreme sadness during this holiday time of year, I 

would be home, baking, enjoying the holiday season, and probably 

stressing about what to get my three active children for Christmas. 

I couldn’t save my sons, but you have an opportunity to save 

someone else’s family. I urge each of you to consider the safety of 

the citizens of your State, and help protect them by supporting S. 

1216. 

Again, thanks for allowing me to speak before you. And thanks 

for all you do to protect the citizens of the United States. 

[The prepared statement of Ms. Burt follows:] 

12 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF CHERYL BURT OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA

Good afternoon. My name is Cheryl Burt, and I am from Rochester, Minnesota. 

Thank you, Chairman Pryor and Members of the Committee for giving me the opportunity to talk to you about carbon monoxide poisoning. I’d also like to thank Senator Klobuchar for inviting me to tell my story. I commend her and Senator Nelson 

for their commitment to take the issue of C-O awareness to a national level. 

When you have a fire in your home, you know it. You can see smoke. Smell the 

fumes. Feel the heat. And since smoke alarms have been required in homes for 

many years, chances are you will also hear your smoke alarm sound. 

When you have carbon monoxide in your home, you cannot see it. You cannot 

taste it. You cannot smell it. You will feel its effects—a headache, nausea, dizziness—but you don’t realize that you’re being poisoned. You don’t comprehend the 

danger, and if you do, you are completely helpless to take action to save yourself 

or your family. 

I know. Fourteen years ago, this January, carbon monoxide poisoned my family, 

and killed two of my three children. 

Let me start by saying that I lived by life’s safety rules. I had smoke alarms in 

my home. I used safety gates and child locks, and I thought my home was safe. I 

was wrong. 

On this particular evening, I progressively got sicker and sicker, with what I 

thought was a family-sized case of the flu. In fact, I had brought my sons to the 

doctor each week for about 2 months because they kept having flu-like symptoms. 

My instinct told me something was wrong, but by the time we reached the doctor’s 

office, my sons were better. Many, including the doctors, thought I was overreacting. 

I now know that they would feel better whenever I took them out of our CO-filled 

house and into fresh air. But back then, I never thought that we were being 

poisoned. By the time I did realize something was terribly wrong, I had no idea just 

how terribly wrong it was. I didn’t realize that my babies were dying, just rooms 

away from me. I couldn’t help them, or even help myself. 

A carbon monoxide alarm would have saved my children’s lives. But I didn’t have 

one in my home. So that night, my two youngest children died in their sleep from 

CO poisoning due to a malfunctioning furnace that was venting dangerous levels of 

CO throughout our home. The rest of my family, while severely injured, managed 

to survive this horrific experience. . . . only to wake up the next afternoon in the 

hospital, with our lives tragically changed forever. 

I was asked to give testimony today . . . to give reasons why I support S. 1216, 

which would give states that pass CO alarm laws incentives to raise awareness, and 

would require a mandatory standard for all CO alarms sold in the U.S. 

I can give you three very good, very precious reasons for my support: Nicholas 

Todd Burt, Zachary Todd Burt, and Ryan Todd Burt. 

My little Nick turned 4 years old just 8 days before his death. In fact, we had 

been too sick to have his birthday party. I now know that our illness was really the 

beginning of CO poisoning. But at the time, we decided to wait to celebrate once 

we all ‘‘got better.’’ That day never came. He is reason number one. 

Reason number two is Zach. Zach was just shy of 16 months old when he died. 

I was up with Zach many, many times during that horrible night. Looking back, 

I should have realized that something was very, very wrong in my home, but I was 

too sick, too poisoned to know. Instead, it was Zach who I could not pick up to rock 

back to sleep. It was Zach who was having trouble breathing. But, the carbon monoxide made me too weak to lift him or soothe him. Instead, I hung onto his crib 

rails, trying to keep myself standing, trying to keep from passing out, and I prayed 

that he would go back to sleep. I listened to his labored breath, but was unable to 

comprehend the danger my baby was in, unable to realize he that was dying. 

Now, I listen to Zach’s labored breathing every night in my sleep. I would give 

anything to have that night back, to have been able to think clearly and save my 

baby. 

Reason number three is Ryan. He was five and a half when we were poisoned. 

He barely survived. He has lived the past 14 years with the knowledge that while 

he lived, his two brothers died right next to him. 

What haunts me is that I could have prevented their deaths. As a mother, I feel 

I should have prevented it. I knew a little about carbon monoxide alarms, but didn’t 

realize their life-saving value. In fact, just a few weeks before this incident happened, I was shopping for the holidays with a friend, and we talked about buying 

alarms. I opted to buy my son another toy truck instead. Now I have the truck, but 

I don’t have my son. 

In the years since my children died, I have made it my mission to tell anyone 

who will listen about the need for CO alarms in our homes. I’ve heard from families 

13 

who bought an alarm because of my story, and who later had the alarm sound, saving their lives or their loved ones. These stories are why I continue to do my part 

to raise awareness. 

Knowledge is power. We warn about all sorts of health and safety issues: the flu, 

H1N1, proper seatbelt usage, and other dangers. But there is no national awareness 

about CO poisoning. I won’t rest until every family has a CO alarm in their home. 

This bill would help provide funding to educate people about carbon monoxide dangers and the need for alarms. 

This December 28 would have been Nick’s 18th birthday. He would be graduating 

from high school. Zach would be 15 and probably just getting his driver’s permit. 

I often think of how different my life would be today had I had a CO alarm in my 

home. I wish with all my heart that my state would have had a law in 1996, like 

the one we have now, requiring all homes to have a CO alarm. I know without a 

doubt that I would have had one in my home. Had there been more public education 

at that time, I would have bought the alarm instead of that toy truck, and I would 

not be speaking before you today. Instead of extreme sadness during this time of 

year, I would be home baking, enjoying the holiday season, and probably stressing 

about what to get my three active boys for Christmas. 

I couldn’t save my sons. But you have an opportunity to save someone else’s family. I urge each of you to consider the safety of the citizens of your state and help 

protect them by supporting S. 1216. Again, thank you for allowing me to speak before you, and thank you for all you do to protect the citizens of the United States. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Well, thank you very much, Cheryl. And 

we’re just glad you’re here. And I can’t imagine—I don’t think any 

of us can—what you went through, in having—have the memories 

of that night. But, you have the courage to share them with us, to 

make sure it doesn’t happen to other children. So, thank you very 

much. 

Ms. BURT. Thank you. 

Senator PRYOR. Yes, thank you for being here, and your courage 

and dedication. 

Mr. Andres. 

STATEMENT OF JOHN ANDRES, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING, 

KIDDE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DIVISION 

Mr. ANDRES. Good afternoon. My name is John Andres. I’m the 

Director of Engineering for Kidde Residential and Commercial, located in Mebane, North Carolina. 

Thank you, Chairman Pryor and members of the Committee, for 

the opportunity to contribute to the discussion on the prevention of 

carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States. Kidde Residential 

and Commercial is part of UTC Fire & Security, a subsidiary of 

United Technologies Corporation. 

We are a proud leader in manufacturing life safety residential 

carbon monoxide alarms, and other life safety devices. We are committed to leading the industry in product safety and strict compliance to industry standards. 

Kidde supports enactment of S. 1216, the Residential Carbon 

Monoxide Safety Act. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, each year unintentional CO poisoning kills more than 

400 Americans, requires 20,000 more to seek emergency medical 

attention, and causes more than 4,000 hospitalizations. 

S. 1216 is a strong first step toward preventing these tragedies. 

I commend Senators Klobuchar and Nelson for their continued 

leadership in alleviating this critical public health and safety issue. 

S. 1216 would focus much-needed Federal attention and resources toward ending accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The 

bill’s provisions to grant—to create a grant program supporting resVerDate Nov 24 2008 15:09 Aug 30, 2010 Jkt 052754 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6601 S:\WPSHR\GPO\DOCS\54920.TXT SCOM1 PsN: JACKIE
14 

idential CO alarm laws are especially important. However, for the 

purposes of today’s meetings, my comments will focus on describing 

the carbon monoxide hazard and how CO alarms operate to provide 

warning. I will also explain why it is necessary to establish mandatory Federal product safety standards, as laid out in S. 1216. 

Known as the ‘‘silent killer,’’ carbon monoxide is a byproduct of 

incomplete combustion. Potential sources are gas burning appliances, such as a furnace, water heater, stove, or grills, as well as 

other fuel burning devices, like fireplaces and engines. If such devices are improperly installed or malfunction, carbon monoxide can 

quickly build up inside a home. It easily mixes with the air and can 

quickly reach dangerous levels. 

Because one cannot see, taste, or smell carbon monoxide, the 

only safe way to detect the gas is to install working carbon monoxide alarms. Kidde and fire safety experts, such as the National 

Fire Protection Association, recommend placing CO alarms outside 

each bedroom and on every level of an occupied dwelling. 

When inhaled, carbon monoxide bonds with the blood’s hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, which then deprives cells of oxygen. A CO alarm works by measuring CO concentrations over time 

to ensure that an alarm will sound before a person’s blood level 

reaches 10 percent carboxyhemoglobin. Below this level, a normally 

healthy adult will not experience symptoms of CO poisoning. 

Consumers must have confidence that a properly installed and 

maintained CO alarm will warn them about the presence of dangerous CO levels and avoid nuisance alarms. This need for accuracy and reliability is the cornerstone of Underwriters Laboratories 

Standard 2034. The UL 2034, is an American National Standards 

Institute, or ANSI, accredited standard, that combines input from 

medical experts, approval bodies like UL, government agencies 

such as the CPSC, the National Fire Protection Association, users, 

and manufacturers in order to create a robust standard of performance. 

First published in 1992, UL 2034, has gone through several revisions, each of which is based on years of field test data intended 

to progressively strengthen the standard. Kidde supports the 

standard, because it specifically tests the product design for electrical safety, mechanical robustness, and the accuracy of CO detection over time and in different environmental conditions. 

UL 2034 is continually reviewed by a standards technical panel 

in order to keep pace with technological advances and past lessons 

learned. This revision process has led to the creation of CO sensing 

technology that is more advanced, stable, and reliable than past 

generations. 

To date, 23 States have enacted laws requiring CO alarms in residential dwellings, and, while most mandate that CO alarms meet 

UL 2034, there is no uniform requirement. More States will likely 

adopt similar legislation. In order to avoid confusion among regulators, consumers, and the industry, State lawmakers need a consistent standard to define what constitutes an approved alarm. 

Without such a reference, conflicting regulations arise that counter 

one of the CPSC’s main objectives, which is to develop uniform 

safety standards for consumer products and to minimize conflicting 

State and local regulations. 

15 

Again, I thank Committee members for their consideration of S. 

1216 and for raising awareness about CO dangers. Senator Klobuchar, Senator Pryor, we look forward to working with you to pass 

this important legislation expeditiously. 

Thank you again for the opportunity to contribute to the discussion. I’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Andres follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF JOHN ANDRES, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING, KIDDE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL

Good afternoon, I am John Andres, Director of Engineering for Kidde’s Residential 

and Commercial Division located in Mebane, North Carolina. Thank you, Chairman 

Pryor and members of the Committee, for the opportunity to contribute to the discussion on the prevention of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the United States. 

Kidde Residential and Commercial Division is part of UTC Fire & Security, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation. We are a proud leader in manufacturing 

life-saving residential carbon monoxide alarms and other fire safety devices. We are 

committed to continuing to lead the industry in product safety and strict compliance 

to industry standards. We work closely with industry professionals, health, safety 

and fire experts, as well as nonprofit partners, to educate consumers on residential 

fire and carbon monoxide safety. 

Kidde supports enactment of S. 1216, ‘‘The Residential Carbon Monoxide Safety 

Act.’’ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, unintentional CO poisoning kills more than 400 Americans, requires 20,000 more to seek 

emergency medical attention, and causes more than 4,000 hospitalizations. S. 1216 

is a strong first step toward preventing these tragedies. I commend Senators Klobuchar and Nelson for their continued leadership in elevating this critical public 

health and safety issue and for their willingness to explore increased consumer protections in the form of mandatory Federal product safety standards. 

S. 1216 would focus much-needed Federal attention and resources toward ending 

accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The bill’s provisions to create a grant program supporting residential CO alarm laws are especially important. However, for 

the purposes of today’s hearing, my comments will focus on describing the carbon 

monoxide hazard and how CO alarms operate to provide warning, and on explaining 

why it is necessary to establish mandatory Federal product safety standards, as laid 

out in S. 1216. 

Known as the ‘‘silent killer,’’ carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion from 

common household sources, including appliances such as a furnace, water heater, 

gas stove, or grill, as well as other fuel-burning devices like a fireplace or engine. 

If such sources are improperly installed or malfunction, carbon monoxide can buildup inside a home. Carbon monoxide follows the air current through a home and, 

based on the source and the residence’s ventilation system, can buildup either rapidly or slowly. Either can be deadly. Because one cannot see, taste or smell carbon 

monoxide, the only safe way to know that the gas has reached toxic levels is to install a sufficient number of working CO alarms. Kidde and fire safety experts such 

as the National Fire Protection Association recommend placing CO alarms outside 

each bedroom and on every level of an occupied dwelling. 

A CO alarm functions by calculating CO concentration over time to determine 

when an alarm will sound. This time-weighted ratio ensures that the higher the 

level of CO and the steeper the rate of increase, the earlier the alarm will sound. 

This equation takes into account the effect of CO on the human body. When inhaled, 

carbon monoxide bonds with hemoglobin in a person’s bloodstream, and displaces 

the oxygen that cells need to function. By operating off the principle of the calculated percentage of carboxyhemoglobin, or CoHb, in the blood, the alarm sounds 

earlier in the presence of higher CO levels. 

CO alarms continuously monitor the home’s environment. They are designed to 

sound before a healthy adult would feel the effects of CO poisoning. Consumers 

should have confidence that a properly installed and maintained CO alarm will 

warn them about the presence of dangerous CO levels, and avoid unwanted nuisance alarms that may cause them to doubt the alarm’s accuracy. This need for accuracy and reliability is the cornerstone of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034, 

the independent, third-party CO alarm standard to which U.S. carbon monoxide 

alarms are voluntarily tested and listed. 

UL 2034 is an American National Standards Institute—or ANSI-recognized standard that combines input from medical experts, approval bodies like UL, government 

16 

agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the National 

Fire Protection Association (NFPA), users and manufacturers in order to create a 

uniform requirement. 

First published in 1992, UL 2034 has gone through several revisions, each of 

which is based on years of field test data and is intended to strengthen the standard. Kidde supports this standard because it specifically addresses electrical safety, 

mechanical robustness and the accuracy of detection across different humidity levels 

and temperatures over a long period of time. It also verifies performance. UL 2034 

is continually reviewed by a standards technical panel in order to keep pace with 

technological advances and past lessons learned. In accordance with ANSI rules, 

any member can recommend a revision in order to improve product performance or 

reliability. This revision process has led to the creation of CO sensing technology 

that is more advanced, stable, and reliable than prior generations. 

Currently, a manufacturer may voluntarily test and certify its CO alarms to the 

UL 2034 standard. While most states with laws requiring residential CO alarms 

mandate that they meet UL 2034, there is no uniform requirement. To date, 23 

states have enacted laws requiring CO alarms in residential dwellings, and more 

states are likely to adopt similar legislation in the coming years. In order to avoid 

confusion among regulators, consumers, and the industry, state lawmakers need a 

consistent standard to define what constitutes an ‘‘approved’’ alarm. Without such 

a reference, conflicting regulations may arise, which would run directly counter to 

one of the CPSC’s guiding objectives ‘‘to develop uniform safety standards for consumer products and to minimize conflicting state and local regulations.’’ By setting 

a mandatory Consumer Product Safety Standard, the Federal Government would 

provide an umbrella of protection for all consumers in the U.S. 

In closing, each week we hear of families whose lives have been saved through 

the use of CO alarms. Having a CO alarm does make the difference between life 

and death. Consumers must have confidence that their CO alarm will work reliably 

and accurately. A Federal standard would give consumers that peace of mind 

Again, I thank Committee members for their thoughtful consideration of S. 1216, 

and for raising awareness about CO dangers in the home. Senator Klobuchar and 

Senator Nelson, we look forward to working with you to pass this important legislation expeditiously. Thank you again for the opportunity to contribute to this discussion, and I will be glad to answer any questions. 

Senator PRYOR. Thank you. 

Mr. Cochran. 

STATEMENT OF HON. KELVIN J. COCHRAN, ADMINISTRATOR, 

UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION, FEDERAL 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF 

HOMELAND SECURITY 

Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. Chairman, Senator Klobuchar, other members 

of the Committee, again, I’m Kelvin Cochran, Associate Administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, United 

States Fire Administrator of the Department of Homeland Security. 

I appreciate the opportunity to participate today in this discussion. And since this is my first hearing following my confirmation, 

it’s a great opportunity to participate in this important issue. And 

I look forward to working with you on many other life safety and 

fire prevention initiatives over the next 3 years. 

Each year, carbon monoxide poisoning kills or sickens thousands 

of Americans. This colorless, odorless gas adheres to red blood cells 

considerably faster than oxygen, which interrupts the exchange of 

oxygen. Consequently, the loss of oxygen in the body leads to tissue 

damage, and in some cases, death. 

From 1999 to 2004, approximately 450 Americans died from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. On an annual basis, approximately 20,000 people visit emergency rooms, and more than 

4,000 are hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning. ApproxiVerDate Nov 24 2008 15:09 Aug 30, 2010 Jkt 052754 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6601 S:\WPSHR\GPO\DOCS\54920.TXT SCOM1 PsN: JACKIE
17 

mately 73 percent of those exposures occur in homes, 41 percent 

occur during the winter months, between December and February. 

Carbon monoxide poisoning is most fatal for citizens above the age 

of 65. 

Common causes or sources of carbon monoxide poisoning include 

house fires, faulty furnaces, heaters, wood burning stoves, internal 

combustion vehicle exhaust, electrical generators, propane-fueled 

equipment, such as portable stoves, and gasoline powered equipment, such as lawn mowers. 

The fire and emergency services of the United States of America 

have been aware of this ‘‘silent killer’’ for many, many years, and 

have been trained on how to respond to and mitigate suspected 

cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. Municipal fire departments 

across the country respond to an estimated 60,000 nonfire carbonmonoxide incidents on an annual basis. 

Individuals and families can take proactive steps to reduce the 

risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by installing home carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors provide a crucial early 

warning of elevated levels of carbon monoxide. The United States 

Fire Administration believes citizens will be best prepared for an 

emergency in their homes if they install both smoke alarms and 

carbon monoxide detectors during this critical period of the year. 

We have produced fact sheets and other information, in conjunction with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and 

the National Institute of Standards and Technology, entitled 

‘‘Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms for Manufactured Homes.’’ 

This fact sheet and other materials referenced here today can be 

accessed on the United States Fire Administration’s website at 

www.usfa.dhs.gov. 

Americans can also do more to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Homeowners should regularly check and vent their 

homes’ heating systems, regularly clean their chimneys, and never 

leave vehicles running in a closed garage. These are other simple 

steps that can assure that carbon monoxide levels do not rise to 

dangerous levels within our homes. 

In recent years, the emergency management community has experienced—or expressed concerns regarding post-disaster deaths 

from carbon monoxide poisoning. Data has shown that, on average, 

170 people die every year as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning 

associated with portable gas generators. Such post-disaster deaths 

are also caused by charcoal grills used inside of homes or enclosed 

garages during power outages. 

Research from the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at the Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, shows the 

number of carbon monoxide poisoning deaths or—in emergency 

rooms spike 2 to 3 days following power outages, as survivors begin 

to recover. 

The United States Fire Administration has developed many brochures with guidance on the proper use of generators following disasters, so survivors who operate these machines can do so safely. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Administrator has 

directed the United States Fire Administration to look at how we 

can better prepare and respond to power outages in order to educate survivors and prevent these tragedies from occurring. 

18 

Finally, the United States Fire Administration will be working 

closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to distribute multilanguage brochures and develop public service announcements to better prepare citizens prior to disasters. We’re 

also highlighting carbon monoxide poisoning in our monthly public 

education series. For January 2010, the ‘‘Focus of the Month’’ will 

be ‘‘Alternative Heating Sources,’’ which focuses on the dangers of 

carbon monoxide. 

I appreciate the opportunity to present before you today, and 

look forward to working with you on this and other critical life 

safety and fire prevention initiatives. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Cochran follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF HON. KELVIN J. COCHRAN, ADMINISTRATOR, UNITED

STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Wicker, and members of the 

Committee. My name is Kelvin J. Cochran and I am an Associate Administrator at 

the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in charge of the United States 

Fire Administration (USFA) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the dangers of carbon 

monoxide poisoning. 

Each year carbon monoxide poisoning kills or sickens thousands of Americans. 

This colorless, odorless gas adheres to red blood cells considerably faster than oxygen, which interrupts oxygen exchange. The loss of oxygen in the body leads to tissue damage and, in some cases, death. Each year from 1999 to 2004, approximately 

450 Americans died from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. Annually more 

than 20,000 people visit emergency rooms and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due 

to carbon monoxide. Approximately 73 percent of these exposures occur in homes, 

and 41 percent occurred during winter months (December to February). Carbon 

monoxide poisoning is most fatal to those 65 or older. 

Sources of carbon monoxide include house fires, faulty furnaces, heaters, woodburning stoves, internal combustion vehicle exhaust, electrical generators, propanefueled equipment such as portable stoves, and gasoline-powered tools such as lawn 

mowers. The fire and emergency services in the United States have been aware of 

this silent killer for many years and have been trained on how to respond to suspected cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. Municipal fire departments respond to 

an estimated 60,000 non-fire carbon monoxide incidents annually. 

Individuals and families can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of carbon 

monoxide poisoning by installing home carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide 

detectors provide a crucial early warning of elevated levels of carbon monoxide. 

The USFA believes citizens will be best prepared for an emergency in their homes 

if they install both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. We have produced a fact 

sheet in conjunction with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and 

the National Institute of Standards and Technology entitled, ‘‘Smoke and Carbon 

Monoxide Alarms for Manufactured Homes.’’ This fact sheet and other materials referenced here today can be accessed via the USFA website at www.usfa.dhs.gov. Americans can also do more to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Homeowners should regularly check and vent their home heating systems, regularly 

clean their chimneys, and never leave vehicles running in a closed garage. These 

and other simple steps can ensure that carbon monoxide levels do not rise to dangerous levels within their homes. 

In recent years the emergency management community has expressed concerns 

regarding post disaster deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning. Data has shown 

that on average 170 people die every year as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning 

associated with portable gas generators. Such post-disaster deaths are also caused 

by charcoal grills used inside the home or enclosed garages after power outages. Research by the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at the Virginia Mason Medical Center 

in Seattle, Washington, shows the number of carbon monoxide poisoning deaths or 

emergency room admissions 2–3 days following a power outage spike as survivors 

begin to recover. 

The USFA has developed brochures with guidance on the proper use of generators 

following disasters so survivors who operate these machines do so safely. The FEMA 

Administrator has asked USFA to look at how we can better prepare and respond 

19 

to power outages in order to educate disaster survivors and prevent these tragedies 

from occurring. USFA will be working closely with the Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention to distribute multi-language brochures and to develop public service 

announcements to better prepare citizens prior to a disaster. 

We are also highlighting carbon monoxide poisoning in our January 2010 ‘‘Focus 

of the Month’’ on alternative heating. Educating the public on the dangers of carbon 

monoxide poisoning has been a part of our ‘‘Winter Fire Safety’’ focus for many 

years and we will continue to warn the public of its danger. 

Thank you for the opportunity to appear before the Committee on this important 

issue, and I would be happy to answer any questions at this time. 

Senator PRYOR. Thank you, Mr. Cochran. 

And I want to thank the entire panel for your testimony today. 

It’s very helpful to the Subcommittee. 

Mr. Korn, let me start with you, if I may. And that is—you have 

a stack of carbon monoxide alarms there—detectors there. How can 

we do a better job—whether it’s through the CPSC or some other 

outlet—how can we do a better job of getting the word out to people 

like Ms. Burt and her family on the importance of having carbon 

monoxide detecting in every home? 

Mr. KORN. Well, there are lots of different ways, two of which I’ll 

mention. I think the Incentive Grant Program contained in Senator 

Klobuchar’s bill will go a long way. One of the best motivators for 

families to behave properly—we see it in booster seats, we see it 

in pools, we see it in .08, open primary seat belt laws—is to pass 

the State law that requires them in the homes—and, I would suggest, Senator, all homes that have combustible fuel. So that’s one. 

It seems like it gets the imprimatur of the government saying, 

‘‘Hey, I need to have this done,’’ so there’s compliance on the other 

side. 

And as to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, maybe it’s 

time that they address this issue the same way they do fireworks 

or the same way they do toy safety, where there is one time a year, 

every year, maybe the start of home heating season, where they do 

the same type of education and partnership, with Safe Kids and 

other groups, about the importance of getting these detectors up in 

the homes, kind of address it in the same—with the same magnitude they do those couple of other areas. I would suggest they 

also do that for pool safety, and I think they’re on their way to 

that. 

And then, finally, there’s nothing for, at least me, more motivating than hearing stories. So, anytime a parent is willing to 

share their story about a child dying, and their experiences, it’s— 

that’s one of the best. 

And let me say this, I deal a lot with parents that lose children. 

And it is, in my view, the most selfless act for a parent like the— 

like Cheryl to share their story. There may be 15 minutes in a day 

where she doesn’t think about her two children, but when she volunteers herself to express and educate others, she’s allowing all of 

us to intrude on that 15 minutes, including this hearing. And I 

think that’s a pretty special gift, and very selfless. So, as long as 

parents are willing to tell their stories, that’s the best motivator. 

I have a 9-year-old. It’s an unthinkable thought to lose a child. 

So, I’m going home tonight and checking my smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, because of the story. 

Senator PRYOR. I agree. Thank you, very much. 

20 

Mr. Andres, let me ask you a question about Kidde and what, in 

your view and the company’s view—what makes a—for a good carbon monoxide alarm, and, you know, what makes one better than 

others? 

Mr. ANDRES. Well, I’d start with what makes a good alarm. I 

mean, what you really want with an alarm is, you want selectivity 

to carbon monoxide gas only. You don’t want an alarm that’s going 

to react or sense other gases that are commonly found in a home, 

and you don’t want that to be viewed by the alarm as carbon monoxide. So, selectivity just to carbon monoxide is an important attribute. 

Also, long-term stability. You know, if we think about what we’re 

doing with a carbon monoxide alarm and the technology, we’re trying to detect parts per million of a molecule that cannot be seen, 

smelled, or tasted. So, you know, long-term accuracy of the technology so that, over time, it’s just as good on day one as it is, you 

know, on—in year 7, is an important attribute. 

I’d say, those are two aspects that I would look for in carbon 

monoxide alarming. And to help support that, there’s a standard 

out there the UL ANSI-accredited standard, UL 2034, which really 

looks at these attributes, in addition to a whole bunch more, to 

make certain that those products that carry the UL mark meet 

these requirements. 

Senator PRYOR. Yes. Thank you for mentioning the UL 2034, because in your opening statement you mentioned that it gets updated from time to time. Is the current status of UL 2034 current 

with technology today? And basically—I mean, is it ready to be followed for a long time, or does it need to—some improvement, as 

well? 

Mr. ANDRES. Yes, it has—I mean, since it was first published in 

1992, it’s gone through a number of revisions. A lot of those revisions made good sense. Revisions, for example, to incorporate tests 

to avoid nuisance alarms. Revisions to the standard to prove longterm reliability and stability. 

Basically, any problems that the Standards Technical Panel 

came across, of which CPSC is a member of, those were addressed 

and the standard was modified to ensure that future designs didn’t 

have similar issues. So, progressively getting better and better with 

time. And it’s a very good standard at this point. 

Senator PRYOR. And so, you think the standard, as it exists 

today, is right where it needs to be? 

Mr. ANDRES. Yes. Yes, I do. 

Senator PRYOR. Senator Klobuchar. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Well, thank you very much, Senator Pryor. 

I was looking at these and remembering that I go home by myself 

a lot on weekends, and I came in once and I think mine—there was 

something wrong. It was just going off all the time, and I 

unplugged it. So, maybe I’ll buy one of these from you. I can’t take 

it, Mr. Andres so—— 

Mr. ANDRES. OK. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR.—you have to put a price on it. 

Mr. ANDRES. Yes. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Or—— 

Mr. ANDRES. Right. 

21 

Senator KLOBUCHAR.—we’ll have had a public violation of the 

ethics law. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. OK, very good. 

Well, I wanted to thank, again, all of you. And I—just to follow 

up on a few of Senator Pryor’s questions about the standard and 

how it’s improved over time. Is it difficult for manufacturers to 

meet the standard? And why do you think it’s important to have 

a mandatory one instead of a voluntary one? 

Mr. ANDRES. Well, to answer the question, it is difficult to meet 

the standard. I mean, the UL standard incorporates over 50 different performance tests. It’s—it takes time. It’s not inexpensive. 

But, at the end of the day, what we end up with, as an industry, 

is, you know, a product that’s been designed to comply with the 

performance standard. 

And if we just think about not doing that for a moment, what 

we open ourselves up to is the risk of putting products into the 

marketplace, ultimately exposing ourselves, in the entire carbon 

monoxide alarm category, to consumers not having a belief in the 

way they would work, or should work. We don’t want to do that. 

And we have an opportunity now, with S. 1216, to prevent that 

from happening, reduce the risk, build the consumers’ confidence, 

and maintain the reputation of carbon monoxide alarms, in total. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. And then, did the smoke alarms have a 

similar mandatory standard that this bill would ask for, for carbon 

monoxide? 

Mr. ANDRES. Smoke alarms—there’s a UL standard for smoke 

alarms. It’s UL 217. I don’t believe it’s mandatory, but I believe 

most States do require smoke alarms be listed to the UL 217 

standard. It’s a little bit different. You know, smoke alarms have 

been around for quite some time. And if you look at the history of 

smoke alarms, there were actually businesses that had put smoke 

alarms into the marketplace without a UL mark. Those businesses 

aren’t around anymore. And I think what we have here is the opportunity to prevent that from reoccurring. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. And how much does one of these typically 

cost, a carbon monoxide alarm? 

Mr. ANDRES. I’d say the range is anywhere from $18 to $40, depending upon, you know, the feature set—— 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. And then you just—— 

Mr. ANDRES.—that comes—— 

Senator KLOBUCHAR.—install it—— 

Mr. ANDRES.—with it. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR.—by plugging it in, is that right? 

Mr. ANDRES. Yes. They’re—well, you see some of the examples 

that Mr. Korn has. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Yes. 

Mr. ANDRES. Some are simple—— 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Oh, that’s who can I buy it from. 

[Laughter.] 

Mr. ANDRES.—installing batteries, just like in a remote control; 

and others, just directly plugging into a wall outlet. That’s how 

simple it is. 

22 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Mr. Korn, we talked about the fact that, I 

think its 23 states, including Minnesota, have laws on the books 

that require carbon monoxide alarms in the home. Can you talk 

about the effectiveness of these State laws? Is there any evidence 

of them reducing the carbon monoxide—or the number of times 

that they’ve effectively warned people of this ‘‘silent killer’’? 

Mr. KORN. Yes. There are 23 states that have carbon monoxide 

detector laws. But, you know, frankly, there’s a patchwork of requirements. Some require—like Minnesota, Rhode Island, a few 

others—a very good carbon monoxide law that covers all dwellings. 

Others—I believe it’s Maine; I’m doing it off the top my head, but 

I have the information—just hotels. Some just require a carbon 

monoxide alarm, only when there’s a transfer of a home, during a 

sale or otherwise changing hands. 

In our view, a more comprehensive law is important. I think the 

laws of chemistry are—exist the same in a rental unit, with a combustible source of fuel, as they do in a home that’s been around for 

30 years. Carbon monoxide isn’t any less poisonous just because it’s 

in existing home or because it’s in a new home or just because it’s 

in a rental property. 

So, we would hope that your incentive grant, and also the State 

legislatures, would kind of pick up on this,—I think it’s a fairly 

new risk area; people don’t know about it—and pass the laws to 

require them in the homes. 

And I’ll just mention, casually, that Arkansas does not have a 

carbon monoxide detection law, so maybe we can move toward that 

end. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. You know, Ms. Burt’s tragic story really 

brought home the fact that kids are more vulnerable to this than 

adults, even. And adults obviously are, as well. But, could you talk 

about that, the body weight and the reasons that—— 

Mr. KORN. Yes. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR.—children are more vulnerable? 

Mr. KORN. Well, there are three or four different reasons, but one 

is, first, children are smaller. So, something that’s particularly 

toxic getting into their bodies affects them negatively faster than 

it does for an adult, although, rest assured, at enough—or higher 

levels, it’s going to affect even a large adult, also. 

And second, children don’t have the ability to react like a parent 

would or an adult would. It is at least possible that a adult would 

recognize that something’s wrong and maybe, maybe make a connection to carbon monoxide. A child won’t. A child will fall asleep 

or go unconscious, and that’s the end of it. 

So, I think children are a particularly vulnerable population, requiring that early detection just as much as, or if not more, than 

others. I think seniors, also, are the same case. In fact, many carbon monoxide poisoning and deaths happen to seniors, because 

they can’t react to it as a healthy adult would. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. I think it was your testimony, Mr. Cochran, 

talking about when this—who’s vulnerable, when this spikes. You 

noted that the number of emergency room admissions associated 

with carbon monoxide spike around 2 to 3 days after a power outage, meaning that people are using the portable gas generators and 

charcoal grills inside their homes after a hurricane or a storm. 

23 

What’s the best way, if you could just use your expertise here, to 

prevent injury and death associated with these generators? 

Mr. COCHRAN. Well, assuring that proper venting is taking place 

in homes and when garages are used to store heat from appliances 

that generate carbon monoxide, even making sure that venting is 

appropriate in those areas, as well, and just monitoring, having CO 

detectors available, so that, even if the venting is not adequate 

enough, that the carbon monoxide detector will sound, to alarm, to 

let them know that dangerous levels are present. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. And I noticed also you talked about how 

many of these are—OK, this may be a selfish question here, but 

everyone should know the answer—some of the State laws differ, 

as Mr. Korn discussed, but what is recommended? I think our law, 

in Minnesota, says the alarm should be installed within 10 feet of 

every bedroom, and then some just say every floor. It—I would assume it’s recommended there be on—one on every floor, or—is that 

correct, or not? 

Mr. COCHRAN. One on every floor is pretty consistent. Beyond 

that, it’s—usually boils down to different standards or family preferences. But, one on every floor is a consistent standard that we 

stand by. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. OK. Ms. Burt, I know that you have spent 

a lot of time reaching out to families about the dangers of carbon 

monoxide poisoning. Have you seen some change in people’s knowledge, with these State laws passing over the last 15 years, since 

the tragedy? 

Ms. BURT. I have, actually. When I first started doing this, and 

I was telling my story, or just telling friends and family or people 

I meet, a lot of people were just like, ‘‘Carbon monoxide, boy,’’ you 

know, ‘‘don’t really know anything about that,’’ or along those lines. 

And as the years went on, the more people I would talk to, they’d 

be like, ‘‘Oh, yes, yes, yes. We know all about that. My Mom and 

Dad got us one for Christmas,’’ or, you know, they knew a lot more. 

And it has been—over the years, it’s prevalent that people do know 

about it. 

But, even after hearing my story, they still don’t actually go out 

and purchase one and put it in and use it. And that’s the part that 

gets me, is that—you know, it’s great to know about it, but not 

everybody’s taking the steps needed to protect themselves. And 

that’s the part where this can come in handy. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. And another part of your story, that was 

just so—had just—sitting, as a mother, thinking about this—is, you 

kept going back to the doctors and, you know, trying to figure out 

why you were all sick at the same time. Has there been some increase in that kind of training or education for doctors, EMTs, firefighters, emergency-room workers, people that would be asking the 

right questions to identify how this happened? 

Ms. BURT. There has been. I know that it—at the Mayo Clinic, 

I’ve talked with a panel of people on it. And it is more prevalent. 

It’s something that—doctors do think about it. But—now, that’s in 

my State, in one place. I don’t know that all doctors would think 

‘‘carbon monoxide poisoning,’’ at this point, when someone would 

present the way we were. Certainly more public awareness and— 

on it would address that and get it further promoted. I would like 

24 

to see doctors think faster—when someone’s coming in constantly 

with the same type of symptoms, and they’re just saying, ‘‘Mmm. 

She’s a kook, hypochondriac,’’ you know, it’s not—I’m not blaming 

the medical community, by any means, but I would want more 

knowledge out there so that that is foremost in their thought—— 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Mr.—— 

Ms. BURT.—or at least—— 

Senator KLOBUCHAR.—Cochran—— 

Ms. BURT.—considered. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR.—do you want to add to that at all? 

Mr. COCHRAN. Yes, ma’am. I can speak to the issue of training 

and preparedness for firefighters—especially those who are emergency medical technicians are extremely well aware and trained, 

this particular time of year, to focus on signs and symptoms, that 

may be presented by patients, that could result in carbon monoxide 

poisoning. In addition to that, this time of year, municipal fire departments, and volunteer agencies who have the resources, commonly partner with businesses and the media in their area to increase awareness of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning, 

this time of year. 

There are departments, currently entering into campaigns across 

the nation, where carbon monoxide detectors are being purchased 

and donated by faith-based groups and businesses, and delivered to 

fire departments, who actually receive calls from citizens for requests for carbon monoxide detectors. And the firefighters themselves install the carbon monoxide detectors in the homes of citizens. That is a historical trend that’s been occurring for approximately 10 to 15 years, and it’s gaining momentum in communities 

all across the country. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Thank you. 

I guess my last question, Ms. Burt, is—I would assume you 

would suggest people put a carbon monoxide alarm in their stockings this holiday season, and that this would be a good gift for people to give their family members. 

Ms. BURT. You are absolutely correct. 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. All right. Thank you very much. And thank 

you for your courage in being here. 

And thank you, all of you. It was very informative. 

Senator PRYOR. Yes, thank you all for being here. 

I have some written questions that we may submit. I think that 

Senator Klobuchar and I, we get it, and we’re going to try to do 

something about this as quickly as we can. 

I didn’t mention this before, Ms. Burt, but I had a circumstance 

in my house a few years ago, it didn’t end in tragedy, like yours 

did, but it could have, because—I was just out of law school, and 

I had two roommates, and we lived in an older house—as Mr. Korn 

said, can be a problem—and one of my roommates, he—his bedroom was right—just a few feet down the hall from a bathroom, 

and it had a hot water heater in the bathroom. And the carbon 

monoxide was just leaking out of the hot water heater. We had no 

idea. You know, it had come with the house, and we didn’t really 

think to check it or anything. But, sure enough, he’s getting these 

flu-like symptoms, headaches, you know, the whole thing. And he 

figured it out. I’m not quite sure how he figured it out, but he knew 

25 

something was wrong, and he figured it out. And, you know, we replaced the water heater, and installed it properly, with the right 

venting and everything. 

So, this can sneak up on you without anybody knowing. And it 

was a near miss in our case. And we need to do more, in terms of 

law, but also to bring awareness to this. 

So, I really thank you all for being here. We’ll work with all of 

you, trying to get something passed next year. And we’re out of 

time this year, as Amy knows, to try to—— 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Oh—— 

Senator PRYOR.—get anything—— 

Senator KLOBUCHAR.—there’s still another week left. 

[Laughter.] 

Senator PRYOR. So, realistically, we’re not going to be able to get 

it done in the next week. 

But, anyway, thank you all for being here. And I really appreciate all of you and your contributions that you’re making into this. 

And we’ll do our best. And we look forward to working with all of 

you. 

Thank you. 

And with that—— 

Senator KLOBUCHAR. Thank you. 

Senator PRYOR.—the hearing is concluded. 

[Whereupon, at 3:28 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.] 

(27) 

A P P E N D I X 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE HOME SAFETY COUNCIL

Chairman Pryor, Ranking Member Wicker, and other members of the Committee, 

thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

I am Patricia Adkins, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Public Policy for the 

Home Safety Council which is located in Washington, D.C. 

About the Home Safety Council 

The mission of the Home Safety Council (HSC) is to help prevent and reduce 

nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits each year from such hazards as 

falls, poisonings, fires and burns, suffocation, and drowning. Through national programs, partnerships and support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to 

help keep them safer in and around their homes. Our vision for our Nation is safer 

homes that provide the opportunity for all individuals to lead healthy, active, and 

fulfilling lives. 

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Is A Home Safety Issue 

Carbon monoxide poisoning is extremely serious. Carbon monoxide (CO) is known 

as ‘‘the silent killer.’’ You cannot see it, smell it or taste it. CO is a deadly gas that 

is produced by fuel-burning heating equipment, such as furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, and kerosene heaters. 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year CO 

claims the lives of nearly 500 people in America and an additional 15,000 seek medical attention for accidental CO exposure. Seniors and young children are more at 

risk for CO poisonings because they spend most of their time at home. In addition, 

children metabolize the gas more quickly than adults and older adults do not excrete the gas as rapidly as young and middle-aged adults. 

The Home Safety Council’s State of Home Safety in AmericaTM revealed 67 percent 

of American households use fuel-burning appliances and equipment, such as gas, 

wood or kerosene that can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide if not functioning properly. Earlier this year, HSC and Kelton Research conducted a ‘‘Home 

Safety for the Entire Family Survey.’’ The survey polled 800 parents to better determine their level of awareness for the leading causes of home injury and also to 

gauge actions they had taken to reduce the risk of home injuries. Our survey 

showed that nearly half (49 percent) of all caregivers polled have not installed a carbon monoxide alarm in their homes. 

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Your Home 

CO poisonings are largely preventable and each year, HSC and other dedicated 

organizations conduct education campaigns to reach Americans to teach them ways 

to prevent CO poisonings in their homes. HSC believes that there are some simple 

steps each family can take to help reduce the risk of CO poisoning in their homes. 

They are: 

• Install at least one CO alarm near sleeping areas; 

• Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up your home’s central 

heating system and repair leaks or other problems. Fireplaces and woodstoves 

should also be inspected each year and cleaned or repaired as needed; 

• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted and serviced; 

• Never use an oven or range to heat your home; 

• Never use a gas or charcoal grill inside your home or in a closed garage; and 

• Portable electric generators must be used outside only. Never use them indoors, 

in a garage or in any confined area that can allow CO to collect. Follow usage 

directions closely. 

28 

HSC believes that legislation like S. 1216: the Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act provides important mandatory standards for residential 

homes and other dwellings. It is important that Americans can trust in an alarm’s 

ability to detect carbon monoxide in their homes. Also, this legislation authorizes 

the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish a grant program for eligible 

states to carry out a carbon monoxide safety program. We are delighted that national non-profit organizations such as the Home Safety Council and others would 

be eligible to participate in multi-state programs that work with first responders to 

educate and provide families with carbon monoxide materials and alarms. 

Carbon Monoxide Prevention 

Each year, at the beginning of home heating season, the HSC works with businesses, first responders and other organizations in an effort to remind all families 

of the dangers of CO poisoning. HSC’s online virtual home safety tour, 

MySafeHome.org provides graphic illustrations of CO sources and how to minimize 

the poisoning risk. 

On behalf of the Home Safety Council, thank you for the opportunity to share our 

findings and support for meaningful standards and programs that resonate with all 

Americans to reduce the number of unintentional carbon monoxide poisonings and 

deaths in the United States. 

December 17, 2009 

Hon. MARK PRYOR, 

Chairman, 

Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance, 

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 

Washington, DC. 

Hon. ROGER WICKER, 

Ranking Member, 

Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance, 

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 

Washington, DC. 

Dear Chairman Pryor and Ranking Member Wicker: 

As representatives of manufacturers, service providers, and installers of carbon 

monoxide alarm and detection devices, we want to commend you for holding today’s 

hearing on ‘‘Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Sounding the Alarm on a Silent Killer.’’ 

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning 

death in the United States. High concentrations of carbon monoxide—a colorless, 

odorless gas that is produced when fossil fuel is incompletely burned—can cause 

cognitive impairment, loss of consciousness, coma and often death. In fact, the U.S. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that every year, more than 400 

people die in the U.S. from accidental CO poisoning and estimates that approximately 20,000 Americans seek medical attention every year due to carbon monoxide. 

There are many things American families can do to protect themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning, including properly maintaining fuel-burning appliances, 

furnaces and chimneys and correctly using portable generators. These actions can 

help prevent the buildup of toxic carbon monoxide gas in people’s homes. However, 

once CO is present, timely detection is paramount to ensuring residents have the 

time to evacuate from the home and contact emergency personnel. Carbon monoxide 

detection and notification devices installed in residential and other places where 

people sleep provide an effective way to reduce the incidence of CO poisoning. 

We support the goals of S. 1216, the Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Bill Nelson. S. 1216 acknowledges the value of carbon monoxide alarm and detection devices by promoting 

their purchase and installation in residential homes and dwellings nationwide. By 

requiring the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to adopt the American National Standards Institute/Underwriters Laboratories (ANSI/UL) Standard 

2034, Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms, as a man- datory consumer product safety rule, the bill places importance on continued quality, effective devices that meet rigorous safety standards. 

We are also pleased that S. 1216 encourages states to require residential CO detection devices and establishes a Federal grants program to provide assistance to 

eligible states to carry out a CO alarm program. Currently, over two dozen states 

and many local jurisdictions have laws on the books requiring CO devices in homes, 

29 

commercial lodging, and other dwellings, and those laws are proving successful in 

reducing the incidence of CO poisoning. 

S. 1216 is a good bill that calls attention to an important life safety issue and 

promotes the use of quality, effective CO detection and notification devices. While 

we support the goals of S. 1216, there are some technical corrections needed to ensure technological consistency. We look forward to working with Senators Klobuchar 

and Nelson and members of the Subcommittee to address these issues and concerns 

as the bill advances. 

Thankfully, there are ways to protect against the deadly assassin known as carbon monoxide. We appreciate your Subcommittee’s attention to this life-and-death 

issue and to ‘‘sounding the alarm on a silent killer.’’ We stand ready to work with 

you. 

Sincerely yours, 

EVAN R. GADDIS, President and CEO, 

National Electrical Manufacturers Association. 

RICHARD W. CHACE, Chief Executive Officer, 

Security Industry Association. 

MICHAEL A. MILLER, President, 

Electronic Security Association. 

cc: Hon. Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senate 

Hon. Bill Nelson, U.S. Senate 

RESPONSE TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY HON. MARK PRYOR TO

ALAN KORN

Question 1. If a consumer sustains a carbon monoxide poisoning, does permanent 

injury result? 

Answer. The treatment for a CO poisoning is oxygen therapy to treat symptoms 

and to lower carbon monoxide levels in the blood or the use of a full-body hyperbaric 

chamber that applies air pressure to remove the carbon monoxide faster. For those 

who survive a carbon monoxide poisoning, the long-term effects can be severe in 

some cases. Victims have reported memory loss, impaired motor skills and heart 

and lung problems. Often times, they deal with the CO injury for the rest of their 

lives. 

Question 2. Is the carbon monoxide poisoning data we have comprehensive in your 

view? If not, why? 

Answer. Safe Kids USA believes that the carbon monoxide poisoning data is not 

truly comprehensive due to the nature of CO itself. CO, a colorless and odorless gas, 

is responsible for more than 500 unintentional deaths, approximately 20,000 emergency department visits and more than 4,000 hospitalizations each year in the 

United States. However, because symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu, 

food poisonings and other common ailments, it is possible that many deaths have 

not been classified as CO poisoning and as a result, the number of fatalities, injuries 

and hospitalizations could be much higher than reported. 

Although the situation is getting better, front line medical professionals (emergency room doctors and nurses) and pediatricians still misdiagnosis CO poisonings. 

The Burt family is a perfect example. Instead of properly spotting the signs of CO 

poisoning, medical professionals often discharge the patient right back into the toxic 

environment that sickened them in the first place. Not only is this dangerous but 

we lose these incidents as data points forever. Better medical recognition will greatly assist to make data more comprehensive. 

Question 3. Could you explain to the Committee why children are more vulnerable 

to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning than adults are? 

Answer. Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of CO. Due to 

their smaller bodies, children process CO differently than adults and may be more 

severely affected by carbon monoxide in their blood. They are more susceptible to 

carbon monoxide and may experience symptoms sooner than a healthy adult. 

Additionally, younger children do not have the cognitive ability to recognize the 

characteristics of CO poisoning, nor do they have the advanced physical development to react properly to it. Accordingly, their exposure to the poison can be prolonged and therefore the injury can be more severe. Their enhanced vulnerability 

makes detection, through a CO alarm, all the more important. 

30 

RESPONSE TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY HON. TOM UDALL TO

ALAN KORN

Question 1. The New Mexico Department of Health reports that minority populations are more likely to suffer carbon monoxide poisonings than the general U.S. 

population. A Washington State study found that Hispanic populations have a three 

times greater risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. The study noted that indoor burning of charcoal briquettes causes 67 percent of Hispanic carbon monoxide 

poisonings. Why are minority and especially Hispanic populations at greater risk? 

Answer. Minority populations can be at greater risk for CO poisoning due to economic factors. The use of CO alarms, which are single-handedly the best safeguard 

against a poisoning, can be a financial obstacle for certain groups. Safe Kids has 

seen this economic barrier for other safety devices, such as child safety seats and 

bike helmets. In addition, malfunctioning gas appliances are a major source of a CO 

leak and maintenance of these products may also be a contributing factor to a carbon monoxide poisoning. Minorities and at-risk families may not simply have the 

economic resources to properly maintain their gas appliances. 

Question 1a. How can we reverse this alarming trend? 

Answer. With minority populations being at a particular risk for carbon monoxide 

poisoning, it is important for public education efforts to be targeted to those in need. 

Safe Kids, as well other public health organizations, can focus outreach initiatives— 

including distribution of CO alarms—to minority and other at-risk groups to mitigate the risk of CO poisoning in these communities. The Federal Government, and 

in particular, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Centers for 

Disease Control and Prevention, could also conduct annual public education campaigns to address this disparity in CO poisoning rates. 

Question 2. In New Mexico, most carbon monoxide poisonings seem to occur in the 

winter months. Tragic cases from Washington State, Minnesota, and Florida also 

suggest that carbon monoxide poisonings spike after hurricanes or severe storms 

when people are without power or heating. In these cases, using portable generators 

or burning charcoal briquette fires indoors creates a real danger. Given the often 

seasonal nature of carbon monoxide poisoning, is there a more effective way to conduct public awareness campaigns for times when people are most vulnerable? 

Answer. The seasonal nature of carbon monoxide poisoning may necessitate that 

multiple public awareness campaigns are warranted—before hurricane season as a 

preventive measure as well as when severe storms strike. At the time when a storm 

hits, it is not too late to remind the public about the dangers of CO poisoning and 

using portable generators or burning charcoal briquettes. The Federal Government 

and public education organizations may want to consider partnering with the American Red Cross on including CO poisoning prevention messages, as part of their disaster response protocol, when there are severe weather incidents. 

Question 2a. How could the ‘‘National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week’’ in October include more effective safety campaigns to get more people to install carbon 

monoxide alarms in their homes? 

Answer. The use of carbon monoxide alarms is the best way to detect a CO poisoning in the home. Unfortunately we know that people still do not have this important safety device. National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week as well as other 

public education initiatives throughout the year could include increased CO alarm 

distribution as part of their efforts. With today’s economy, families have had to 

prioritize their household budgets, and safety devices may not be seen as ‘‘must purchase’’ items. Increased availability of no-cost CO alarms will help families install 

these devices in their residences. 

As we have seen with other safety efforts, the passage of state laws can be helpful 

to ensuring that more people install CO alarms in their homes. Currently, 23 states 

and some local jurisdictions have passed legislation requiring the use of CO alarms 

in some types of residences (Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, 

Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin). An advocacy effort to encourage more states to pass laws as well as public education activities to promote awareness of existing laws could promote CO alarm use. 

We note that significantly, New Mexico, to date, does not have a CO alarm law. 

Passing a law in New Mexico would not only increase use rates and lower deaths 

and injuries, but also could qualify the state for an incentive grant under the Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, if enacted. 

31 

RESPONSE TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY HON. MARK PRYOR TO

CHERYL BURT

Question 1. What is your recommendation to the Congress to better protect Americans from the risk of carbon monoxide exposure or poisoning? 

Answer. My recommendation is that Congress pass S. 1216, and work to educate 

families on the risks of CO and the need for alarms in our homes. Carbon Monoxide 

is all around us every day. We need to educate the public regarding the dangers 

of CO and help them realize the need for CO alarms much like this needed to be 

done when smoke alarms first came out. They are as important, if not more so, because CO is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas and can usually only be detected 

by a CO Alarm. Knowledge is power. We warn about all sorts of health and safety 

issues: the flu, H1N1, proper seatbelt usage, what to do if you have a fire in your 

home, and other dangers. But there is no national awareness about CO poisoning 

and yet it is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in our homes. 

Question 2. You mentioned in your written testimony that when you were being 

exposed to carbon monoxide, you thought you simply had a case of the flu. How do 

you suggest we make Americans more aware of the possibility of carbon monoxide 

poisoning in the event that they experienced flu-like symptoms in their homes? 

Answer. I would like to see the grants incentive portion of this bill include an education outreach program that addresses overall CO awareness, and seasonal issues, 

such as heating risks. States that pass laws requiring CO alarms also need to educate families on the symptoms, the possible sources, etc. I wish with all my heart 

that my state would have had a law in 1996 like the one we have now, requiring 

all homes to have a CO alarm. I know without a doubt that I would have had one 

in my home. Had there been more public education at that time, I would have 

bought the alarm instead of that toy truck, and my sons would be alive today. 

RESPONSE TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY HON. MARK PRYOR TO

JOHN ANDRES

Question 1. Do you think it will be important to update the UL 2034 standard 

over time? 

Answer. Yes. UL 2034 is currently reviewed by a standards technical panel in 

order to keep pace with technological advances and past lessons learned. The process of revising and updating occurs with input from users of the device, industry 

generals which often includes CPSC, Underwriters laboratories and the industries 

technical community. The process considering changes and new requirements is governed by the protocol used for all American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 

standards. 

Question 2. Do you recommend a national standard for carbon monoxide detection? 

Answer. Yes. Consumers must have confidence that their CO alarm will work reliably and accurately. A national standard of product performance such as the ANSI 

UL2034 ensures all critical performance attributes are independently evaluated by 

a third party. Furthermore, a national standard ensures that all legislation and 

code for CO alarms is easily administered by referencing this requirement. Conversely, the lack of such a standard will result in fragmented performance requirements that open the door to products that may not contain the necessary features 

and safety requisites determined to be necessary by the medical and technical community. The results of a fragmented performance requirement increases the risk of 

diminished performance which would no doubt have further ramifications such as 

the public losing confidence in CO alarms. Designing to a national standard substantially minimizes this risk. 

Question 3. What are the benefits to consumers and businesses of the CPSC endorsing or requiring a particular standard for carbon monoxide alarms? 

Answer. By endorsing or requiring a Federal standard for CO alarms, the CPSC 

provides consumers with the benefit of knowing that the product purchased is accurate and reliable, and that it has been tested by an independent, third party. In 

addition, businesses and state legislators involved with maintenance and ordinances, would benefit by having a very clear definition of what constitutes an approved CO alarm. This is consistent with the CPSC view of smoke alarms which 

is closely related to CO alarms. 

32 

RESPONSE TO WRITTEN QUESTION SUBMITTED BY HON. MARK PRYOR TO

HON. KELVIN J. COCHRAN

Question. How effective have fire alarms been in protecting Americans from death 

or injury associated with residential fires? Do you support the deployment of carbon 

monoxide detectors and alarms across the United States? 

Answer. Home smoke alarms have been one of the most effective safety innovations in recent history. While we have no hard data to substantiate the number of 

lives saved or injuries prevented by home smoke alarms, we know with certainty 

that the home fire death rate has declined substantially as the number of homes 

with working smoke alarms increases. For instance, in 1977, when 22 percent of 

homes had smoke alarms, there were 5,865 home fire deaths. By the year 2003, 95+ 

percent of homes had smoke alarms, and the trend in the death toll declined by 51 

percent to 3,145. 

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) supports and recommends the use 

of carbon monoxide alarms in any building where a fuel is burned to provide heat 

for cooking or heating, lighting or any other purpose, as well as in all buildings that 

have an attached garage or shed. 

RESPONSE TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY HON. TOM UDALL TO

HON. KELVIN J. COCHRAN

Question 1. The New Mexico Department of Health reports that minority populations are more likely to suffer carbon monoxide poisonings than the general U.S. 

population. A Washington State study found that Hispanic populations have a three 

times greater risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. The study noted that indoor burning of charcoal briquettes causes 67 percent of Hispanic carbon monoxide 

poisonings. Why are minority and especially Hispanic populations at greater risk? 

How can we reverse this alarming trend? 

Answer. The USFA, in conjunction with the CDC, is looking into why certain ethnic groups are more prone to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Unfortunately 

not all cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are reported to local fire departments. 

These cases are usually handled via the victims taking themselves to hospitals, or 

being delivered to by friends and family for reasons other than carbon monoxide poisoning (i.e., flu-like symptoms). 

Public information and education that goes directly to the ‘‘at risk’’ population is 

always helpful in reducing specific safety problems. The USFA partners with national organizations to reach identified high risk audiences by making use of the 

partner organization’s established networks and thereby reaching out to community 

groups that can deliver the message directly to the local population. 

Question 2. In New Mexico, most carbon monoxide poisonings seem to occur in the 

winter months. Tragic cases from Washington State, Minnesota, and Florida also 

suggest that carbon monoxide poisonings spike after hurricanes or severe storms 

when people are without power or heating. In these cases, using portable generators 

or burning charcoal briquette fires indoors creates a real danger. Given the often 

seasonal nature of carbon monoxide poisoning, is there a more effective way to conduct public awareness campaigns for times when people are most vulnerable? How 

could the ‘‘National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week’’ in October include more effective safety campaigns to get more people to install carbon monoxide alarms in 

their homes? 

Answer. FEMA/USFA has developed and made available a series of fact sheets 

that are employed during seasons when hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, and winter 

storms, etc., usually peak. This includes two fact sheets that provide safety information about carbon monoxide in general and specifically about generators and carbon 

monoxide dangers. The fact sheets can be accessed online at www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens. These fact sheets discuss fire safety and prevention under adverse conditions 

and are used to remind the public that fire safety and prevention are especially important during times of severe conditions. 

The January 2010 USFA ‘‘Focus of the Month’’ spotlights alternative heating safety. The dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning are key to this message and it provides basic safety information on how to avoid it. 

For the first time, in January 2009, the National Fire Protection Association 

(NFPA), Underwriters Laboratory and Kidde Fire Systems sponsored a Carbon 

Monoxide Awareness week. There may be other events sponsored by other agencies 

or organizations that focus on this problem. Certainly the more educated the public 

becomes the greater the chances are that some of the deaths and injuries can be 

prevented. Ongoing messaging about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and 

33 

how to prevent it would begin to bring the issue to the forefront of the public’s mind. 

Since indoor cooking on grills, generators, and heating appliances that use natural 

fuel and auto emissions are some of the main causes of residential carbon monoxide 

poisoning, making use of public service announcements (radio, TV, and print) as 

well as editorials and articles in newspapers and magazines should gradually alert 

the general public to safety precautions they need to employ to prevent this problem. 

Æ