New arrivalYou can now listen to Fox News articles.
Following the recent deaths of three carbon monoxide (CO) -related American tourists at Sandals Resort in Bahama, experts are exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning during their summer trips and vacations. We are considering ways to prevent this.
Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it is an odorless gas. Individuals are unaware that they are exposed to it until symptoms appear.
Health experts advise that it is important to install carbon monoxide detectors in homes, rental units, hotel rooms, and so on. know And in fact, make sure they are placed there and work perfectly, no matter how short or long, during your vacation stay.
Death of Sandals Bahamas: Police confirm carbon monoxide poisoning and kill three American tourists
Not all US states (and all countries) require the installation of a CO detector in a hotel room, rental unit, or home.
The traveler is responsible for checking if the detector is at the vacation destination.
FoxNews Digital previously reported that CO detectors were not installed at Sandals Resort, where three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning, as it was not a mandatory regulation.
The resort said, “CO detectors are currently installed in all rooms in Sandals Emerald Bay and are not required at any destination in the Caribbean, but will be installed in all rooms throughout the portfolio. “.
Death of Bahamian Sandals: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, What You Need to Know About Quiet Murderers
The presence of carbon monoxide in hotels is a problem that travelers should have on radar, according to a study published in the Preventive Medicine Report in 2019.
The authors of the study found that between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2018, more than 900 guests traveling in the United States were poisoned in 115 identified cases, including 22 deaths. I found that. Studies show that the types of accommodations where odorless gases are present include all classes of hotels, motels and resorts, and are found in the majority of states.
Given the different state and national regulations, vacationers should be aware of the potential carbon monoxide hazards in rental units, rental housing, or hotels.
Investigators said most of the poisoning was caused by natural gas-fueled appliances and may have been prevented by the presence of carbon monoxide alarms in the room, according to a published study. discovered.
They proposed that the government mandate the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in rooms to reduce carbon monoxide-related illnesses and deaths.
Bobby Davidson, President of HomePro Chesapeake Inc. in Annapolis, Maryland, conducts home inspection services and environmental testing of homes and buildings. Davidson told Fox News Digital in this week’s interview that vacationers recognize the potential dangers of carbon monoxide in rental units, homes, or hotels, given the different state regulations. Said it was important.
“For example, in Maryland, you don’t have to have a carbon monoxide detector in your house,” says Davidson. “Therefore, if you are planning a vacation along the Maryland coast, you need to be aware that state requirements may not require you to install a carbon monoxide detector at that particular rental facility. there is.”
Bobby Davidson of HomePro Chesapeake Inc. in Annapolis, Maryland said:
According to Davidson, one way to avoid potential carbon monoxide poisoning is to include a carbon monoxide detector in the items you pack before your trip.
Sandals Bahamas Death: An American son in Miami said she woke up and “stuck”
“The detector is small enough to fit in a bag, so it’s usually less than $ 30,” he said.
Davidson advised to bring two detectors. Place one on the lower floor of the rental housing and the other near the bedroom.
Davidson said vacationers should consider using battery-powered units for those traveling abroad (electric outlets may differ from those in the United States). .. Or order the one with the appropriate outlet type.
Home Inspection also suggested that travelers should ask the hotel or rental unit manager the following questions and discuss these issues:
1.1. Are there any gas-fueled appliances such as water heaters and stoves?
2.2. Is the fireplace propelled by gas and properly ventilated? (Davidson also said that people shouldn’t leave the gas fireplace on while sleeping.)
3.3. Is a carbon monoxide detector installed? If so, when was the last check?
4.4. Are there any generators that are used indoors or partially indoors? (It shouldn’t.)
When renting a villa, it is important to check the condition of the property with a qualified professional.
He is also best to bring a plug-in or battery-powered carbon monoxide detector for vacationers who can’t or don’t have much information about the homes and units they rent. I said that.
He also said that he would never leave a car running in the garage.
Jennifer McCormick, a licensed realtor in Annapolis, Maryland, told Fox News Digital, along with Engel & Volkers, that it is important to check the condition of the property with a licensed expert when renting a villa. Told.
“Make sure the house you are renting must have all the safety features in accordance with the law,” she said. “Carbon monoxide is a deadly danger — and some rental companies may be in their contract that they are not responsible for the condition of their property.”
“It is also important to make sure that furniture and curtains are not blocking the detector and that there are enough detectors approved by a licensed expert.”
McCormick also said it was important to have rental agents confirm that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were located in the required areas, including the sleeping area.
“It’s also important to make sure that furniture and curtains aren’t blocking the detector, and that there are enough detectors approved by a licensed expert,” McCormick added.
She also said that if the family has deafness, it is wise to ask if the unit has an alarm with a flashing light or if it can be supplied.
“You can’t smell or see carbon monoxide, so it’s very important to take the right steps and ask these important questions before signing anything,” McCormick said. increase.
Dr. Fred Davis, DO, MPH, a board-certified emergency physician at Northwell Health in Long Island, NY, recently told Fox News about carbon monoxide poisoning. “Carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in the blood’s oxygen carrier, hemoglobin, and prevents it from reaching the cells, which causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. Cause. “
Doctors emphasized the importance of seeing a doctor if they were suspected of being exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning.
He added that if a person remains in the affected area, he or she will potentially faint and even die.
“If you’re in a burning area (including cookware such as stoves and water heaters and car exhaust) and you start to see such symptoms, the first thing you should do is area. ”
Click here to get the Fox News app
“Being able to enter an open area away from such items can help relieve mild symptoms,” Davis added.
Doctors emphasized the importance of seeing a doctor if they were suspected of being exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning.