Over 50,000 people visit emergency departments and around 500 people die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning.

14th August 2024 – Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas and is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’.  Every year in the United States, carbon monoxide poisoning affects tens of thousands of people – very often due to a wide-reaching lack of awareness of the dangers. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), throughout the USA an average of approximately 50,000 people visit emergency departments due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning – and around 500 people die each year from unintentional, non-fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning.

These statistics highlight the significant impact of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning on public health, making it a serious concern that requires proper preventive measures, such as the installation of CO detectors and regular maintenance of fuel-burning appliances.

Over the past 12 months, several severe unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning incidents have occurred in the United States, often linked to extreme weather events and the use of generators. Here are ten notable incidents:

1. Hurricane Beryl Aftermath (July 2024): In Houston, Texas, over 116 people sought emergency care for CO poisoning following the widespread use of portable generators during power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl. Hospitals in the area were overwhelmed by the surge in cases.
   
2. Buffalo Winter Storm (December 2023): A significant winter storm in Buffalo, New York, led to several fatalities due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Many residents used generators indoors without proper ventilation, resulting in deadly CO accumulation.
   
3. New Jersey Apartment Complex Incident (October 2023): A CO leak at an apartment complex in New Jersey caused severe poisoning, hospitalizing over a dozen people, including several children.
   
4. North Carolina Home Incident (March 2024): A family of five in North Carolina was hospitalized after using a charcoal grill indoors for heating during a power outage. The grill emitted high levels of CO, leading to severe poisoning.
   
5. Idaho Ice Fishing Tragedy (January 2024): Four individuals died of CO poisoning while ice fishing in Idaho. They used a propane heater in an enclosed ice shanty without proper ventilation.
   
6. Connecticut School Event (November 2023): During a school event in Connecticut, faulty heating equipment caused a CO leak, leading to the evacuation of the building and hospitalization of several students and staff.
   
7. Michigan Cabin Incident (February 2024): A group of vacationers at a cabin in Michigan was exposed to CO due to a malfunctioning furnace. Three people were found dead, and several others were hospitalized.
   
8. Minnesota Hockey Rink Incident (April 2024): CO poisoning at a hockey rink in Minnesota affected multiple people, including young players, due to faulty ventilation of an ice resurfacing machine.
   
9. California Wildfire Aftermath (August 2023): After a series of wildfires, several California residents suffered from CO poisoning while using generators indoors to power their homes during blackouts.
   
10. Alabama Tornado Aftermath (May 2024): Following tornadoes in Alabama, multiple CO poisoning cases were reported as residents used portable generators too close to living spaces during power outages.

These incidents highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide, particularly during power outages when people turn to alternative heating and power sources​ (Insurance Journal)​ (Hoodline).