Houston firefighter reprimanded after a mother, daughter die of carbon monoxide poisoning

A followup story on the incident response to a family of 4 suffering CO poisoning in their home during last year’s ice storm in Texas… “‘…this isn’t about an individual — it’s about a systemwide practice…if you’ve discovered this incident, and it probably isn’t the only one that they have, what are you going to […]

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17 UW-Milwaukee students treated after dorm evacuated for carbon monoxide

“’I didn’t even have time to get anything. I’m still wearing slippers,’ freshman Aidan Gentile said. He was in the study lounge and said he noticed having difficulties breathing. Gentile said he saw students fainting earlier in the week. ‘I had a lot of pain in my chest, which is like a common symptom of […]

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Cranfield University – The efficient operation of regulation and legislation: An holistic approach to understanding the effect of carbon monoxide on mortality

Progressive research happening in the the U.K. – In 2011 a report by the All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG) identified a key role for coroners to support increased detection of CO poisoning in England and Wales. The report recommended that “The Government should ensure that all coroners’ post-mortems routinely test for carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) […]

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VA nurse saves lives: “The greatest feeling in the world.”

“Nurse and National HeRO awardee, Richard Hall of John Dingell VA in Detroit, enjoys talking to fellow Veterans and engaging during visits. He struck up a conversation with Veteran Larry Washington as he was leaving VA after noticing he had been to the ED multiple times over the last couple days. Hall, an Emergency Department […]

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ATSDR – Carbon Monoxide

“This public health statement tells you about carbon monoxide and the effects of exposure to it.” Carbon Monoxide | Public Health Statement | ATSDR (cdc.gov)   “The ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information…” Carbon Monoxide | Toxicological Profile | ATSDR (cdc.gov)

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Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR)

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry – Organizational Chart – Approval 10/31/2019; Effective 1/9/2010 (cdc.gov) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry – Mission/Function Statement – Approved 10/31/2019; Effective 1/9/2020 (cdc.gov)  

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Longview woman helps change International Fire Code to ensure more CO alarms in public buildings after parents died in hotel

“The 2024 International Fire Code changes require detectors in new and existing buildings like hotels, motels and apartment buildings with equipment like fireplaces or gas stoves that can leak carbon monoxide, said Longview Fire Marshal Jon Dunaway.” Longview woman helps change International Fire Code to ensure more CO alarms in public buildings after parents died […]

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Links to NIOSH info and publications

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – links to info and publications related to CO:   About NIOSH | NIOSH | CDC The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970external icon established NIOSH as a research agency focused on the study of worker safety and health, and empowering employers and workers to create safe and […]

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Four people, including three kids, were sent to the hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning

“Sacramento Fire Department Public Information Officer Keith Wade said around 5:30 p.m. Friday residents at an apartment building at 999 Arcade Boulevard called PG&E for an issue. Once at the apartment, PG&E ascertained that the wall heater had a carbon monoxide build-up.” Four people go to the hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning | abc10.com

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HUD to require property owners to install Carbon Monoxide Alarms by December 27, 2022

On January 31, 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published Housing Notice H 2022-01 (Notice), Carbon Monoxide Alarms or Detectors in U.S. HUD-Assisted Housing. This Notice applies to all HUD Section 811 PRA developments with fuel-burning appliances and/or attached garages. The Notice can be viewed at https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/PIH2022-01.pdf. HUD issued this Notice to […]

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National Cattle Congress responds to CO incident at Hippodrome monster truck event

“Fire officials said Friday they had no knowledge of carbon monoxide detectors going off that evening, but that doesn’t mean the facility doesn’t have them. In addition, Fire Marshal Brock Weliver pointed out the facility, with a “big, wide open space, isn’t necessarily required” to have detectors to comply with the International Fire Code. Fire […]

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Fox, VA, Elementary fire alarm system did not call company due to missing area code

“In their own timeline of events, Richmond Public Schools said those vital alarm panels never called the Richmond Alarm Company because 8-0-4 was not recently added after Verizon changed operations requiring local calls to include the area code.” Fox Elementary fire alarm system did not call company due to missing area code | WDVM25 & […]

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Elevated levels of CO found at a business during a follow-up inspection by the Brookfield Fire Marshal’s Office

Brookfield, CT – “…deputy fire marshal found a business with elevated carbon monoxide levels, during a follow-up inspection…The high levels of CO were due to an improperly vented portable heater…” Carbon Monoxide Levels Prompt Warning From Brookfield Officials | Brookfield, CT Patch

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Hyperbaric treatment, carbon monoxide poisoning spiked amid COVID-19 (Penn Hyperbaric Medicine)

“…they were able to secure 60 detectors, partly through a donation from the Jenkins Foundation… detectors will be handed out through the Hyperbaric Medicine team and in the emergency department at Penn to patients who come in with carbon monoxide poisoning but don’t have a detector…” Thanks to generous donations, #PennHyperbaricMedicine was one of 23 […]

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Winter CO Safety – Free CO alarms for Cowlitz County

*** Winter Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety – Cowlitz County *** #DYK the risk of CO exposure at home is more prevalent in winter than in any other season? This risk has been highlighted here in Washington with the recent deaths of a couple in Point Roberts and three family members in Selah. And deaths continue […]

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Corroded exhaust pipe sparks carbon monoxide scare in Ann Arbor apartment building

Ann Arbor, MI – “Emergency crews were called at 5:13 p.m. Feb. 3, to the Hidden Valley Apartments near State Street and E. Eisenhower Parkway for a report of significant levels of carbon monoxide detected in one of the buildings…source of the carbon monoxide leak was determined to be a severely corroded exhaust pipe for […]

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6 children among those hospitalized from ‘life-threatening’ levels of carbon monoxide at Marysville hotel

Hampton Inn – Marysville, Ohio “Before 5:30 p.m., the Marysville Fire Department received a call about several people, including a 2-year-old girl, unconscious at the Hampton Inn on Square Drive.” At least 14 hospitalized after incident at Marysville hotel | 10tv.com 14 guests, including at least 6 kids, hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak near pool […]

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Buildings in Queens evacuated after manhole fire leads to elevated carbon monoxide levels

“…it appeared there were sparking wires underneath the manhole, potentially caused by salt that was put down as a result of the weekend snowstorm…FDNY officials say firefighters evacuated a building containing six apartments…Several other buildings, including a laundromat across the street, also had to be evacuated.” Buildings evacuated in Elmhurst, Queens after manhole fire leads […]

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5 construction workers suffer carbon monoxide poisoning at site in East Brainerd

“Workers had set up heaters inside and outside the building to deal with sub-zero temperatures. CFD says “several of those heaters malfunctioned,” pumping CO into the structure… They found a number of construction workers still on the job, unaware of what was happening… they detected levels at 540 parts per million…” 5 construction workers suffer […]

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Subacute CO poisoning presenting as vertigo and fluctuating low frequency hearing loss

Journal of Surgical Case Reports article “Initially diagnosed as Meniere’s disease, the patient was investigated and followed up in the clinic. She reported leakage of carbon monoxide from her gas fire identified during a routine safety check. Her symptoms fully resolved after disconnecting the faulty gas fire. A rare cause of fluctuating hearing loss and […]

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NTSB: Require small planes to have carbon monoxide detectors

“The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that it identified 31 accidents since 1982 involving carbon monoxide poisoning, including 23 fatal crashes that killed 42 people and seriously injured four others.” NTSB: Require small planes to have carbon monoxide detectors (techxplore.com)  

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The Case of the Missing Carbon Monoxide (Journal of Emergency Medical Services)

“Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and potentially deadly gas. Each year, over 20,000 people in the United States are poisoned by carbon monoxide and nearly 450 people are killed.1,2,3 Carbon monoxide poisoning can be easy to diagnose when there is a history of exposure, but difficult when CO exposure is not suspected. […]

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The Case of the Missing Carbon Monoxide

“A middle-aged male was brought into the emergency department for a legal lab draw of carboxyhemoglobin levels while in police custody… First responders play a vital role in identifying potential carbon monoxide poisonings based on their observations of the scene. This case report highlights potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning.” The Case […]

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Baldwin County tenant’s family awarded $5 million in carbon monoxide wrongful death suit

“Clare Castleman, a tenant at The Palladian at Fairhope, called maintenance after one of her alarms activated after running errands on March 25, 2019. Maintenance determined a combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector was the source of the alarm and then removed all the detectors from Castleman’s unit. Hours later, Castleman died after being found unresponsive in […]

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All FDNY ambulances getting CO-oximeters

“All EMS personnel will be equipped with a RAD-57 CO-Oximeter, which will provide emergency medical technicians a quick way to tell if their patient has taken in too much carbon monoxide, according to a memo acquired by The News. The devices will be onboard by Jan. 21, according to the order.” All FDNY ambulances getting […]

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NFD: 1 adult, 5 children hospitalized for high carbon monoxide exposure

“News 4 wanted to know if fire and carbon monoxide detectors were inside the home. MDHA said they are responsible for having detectors on the property. “The maintenance technician says that when he entered the unit that he noticed that the smoke-carbon monoxide detectors had been disabled and removed from their typical space…” NFD: 1 […]

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Firefighters discover carbon monoxide in Icenter during separate response

“Firefighters discovered dangerous levels of carbon monoxide at the Icenter Friday afternoon while responding to an unrelated medical call… portable carbon monoxide detectors attached to firefighters’ gear alerted them of the issue when they walked into the building… Salem’s building inspector will follow up Monday to find out why detectors installed at the Icenter were […]

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Utah doctors warn about carbon monoxide poisoning as winter temperatures drop

“Dr. Marc Robins warned that individuals who have been poisoned by carbon monoxide are at risk for permanent brain or cardiac injuries, and suggested that anyone who has had exposure to carbon monoxide should go to the emergency room to be evaluated, no matter how light the symptoms. “The most effective treatment comes within the […]

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Expert: Carbon monoxide from arson filled clinic in one minute

“Carbon monoxide from a fire set inside a clinic in a multitenant building here spread so quickly that escape was nearly impossible, according to a computer simulation conducted by a fire safety expert. “One minute was enough for the gas to fill the insides of all the rooms,” said Tokiyoshi Yamada, a former specially appointed […]

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Mother thankful her daughter is alive after CO poisoning in south Fargo apartment

“On December 22 Sharon Cottrell got a phone call from her daughter, Danica Gilb, with a terrifying story. Two days earlier, on Monday, Gilb heard beeping noises coming from the first and second floors of her building. She tried to contact the property management but never got a response…” Mother thankful her daughter is alive […]

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New Philadelphia men die from CO poisoning in garage while listening to music

“Family members said the two men, ages 20 and 25, went out into the garage around 7 p.m. to listen to music…they had a vehicle running in the garage while they were listening to music.” New Philadelphia men die from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning (timesreporter.com) Read more about CO danger in garages: https://www.abe.iastate.edu/…/carbon-monoxide…/

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Child among 5 hospitalized in Queens carbon monoxide incident

JAMAICA, Queens (WABC) — Five people, including a child, were hospitalized after a carbon monoxide incident in Queens. It happened around 1:30 p.m. on 198th Street and 115th Avenue in Jamaica. Firefighters and FDNY responded to the scene, where they discovered elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the building and in neighboring buildings. Investigators say there […]

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Fire officials: Toddler among 11 people affected by CO leak at Evanston, IL, church, 6 taken to area hospitals, 5 others treated

“…the initial call indicated an unresponsive toddler. A fire official said the child required advanced life support care in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.” 11 people sickened by carbon monoxide inside Evanston church, toddler among 6 hospitalized – Chicago Tribune  

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Generators can cause deadly CO poisoning. But the industry resists rules to make them safer.

“Portable generators are among the deadliest consumer products. Two decades after the government identified the danger, and as climate change leads to more power outages, people are left vulnerable by a system that lets the industry regulate itself.”   The generator industry resists safety rules despite carbon monoxide deaths | The Texas Tribune  

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Miami University to make residence hall changes following carbon monoxide scare

Oxford, OH – “The most frequent question we have received is ‘why don’t the residential buildings at Miami have carbon monoxide detectors as normally is required by building code?’ Under state building and fire codes, if there is no carbon monoxide produced in a building OR if a carbon monoxide source is sealed and exhausted […]

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University apologizes to students for carbon monoxide scare

Oxford, OH – “The Nov. 18 carbon monoxide leak that forced the evacuation of Miami University’s Hillcrest Hall dormitory “violated the trust” students have in the university to provide a safe living environment, the school’s Institutional Response Team said in a campus-wide email Thursday, Dec. 2.” University apologizes to students for carbon monoxide scare – […]

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Carbon Monoxide Leak Inside Plane Prompts Emergency Landing

“A Frontier Airlines flight from Las Vegas to San Antonio was forced to make an emergency landing at El Paso International Airport on Thursday due to a carbon monoxide leak.” Carbon Monoxide Leak Inside Plane Prompts Emergency Landing (newsweek.com) Mid-air hazmat incident prompts Frontier Airlines flight to make emergency landing in Texas – ABC7 Los […]

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WA couple dies in newly constructed home

Point Roberts, WA “Gail Amundsen and Murray Church, longtime residents of Point Roberts, were discovered dead in their home on Calder Drive on Thanksgiving Day evening. Newly constructed, the couple had only moved into the house on August 9. According to the fire chief and WCSO, while the house had fire detectors, no CO monitors […]

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Detainees Hospitalized for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning at Glades Detention Center

“Before lunch could be served, four ICE detainees and one kitchen staffer had fainted and were rushed to the hospital for carbon monoxide inhalation. Two of the victims were later airlifted elsewhere…one of the exhaust fans on a piece of kitchen equipment was not activated…” #COinCommercialBuildings Glades County Detention Center Detainees Hospitalized With Carbon Monoxide […]

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Updates: IFC 2024 Proposals

Overview: The Jenkins Foundation has been actively supporting an effort to expand CO detection requirements in the 2024 International Fire Code (IFC) to include ALL commercial occupancies, both new and existing, with known CO sources.  Proposed revisions also establish common baseline requirements for detector/alarm placement within these buildings.  The current IFC requires detection only in […]

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Teens learn about dangers of CO, distribute info and free alarms

Twin Falls, ID – The Lindsey O’Brien Kesling (LOK) Wishing Tree Foundation is partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Magic Valley to offer a week-long leadership development program centered around carbon monoxide awareness and safety. Teens learn about dangers of carbon monoxide, distribute information and free alarms | Southern Idaho Education | magicvalley.com […]

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How NFPA standards are developed and revised, and by whom

There is a lot of confusion around how NFPA Standards are created and amended. A new blog post from Director of Standards Administration, Dawn Bellis attempts to address many of those questions about “How NFPA standards are developed and revised, and by whom” https://bit.ly/2YeTspk

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9-year-old uses dad’s phone to call 911 as CO filled her house

“A quick-thinking 9-year-old in Brockton, Massachusetts, is being credited with saving her family after her parents were overcome by carbon monoxide from a generator they had borrowed after the powerful nor’easter that swept through the area…” 9-year-old unlocks her dad’s phone with his face to call 911 as carbon monoxide filled her house – CNN   […]

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TSA workers awarded millions after jury finds RI Airport Corp. negligent in 2015 carbon monoxide incident

“A jury on Wednesday found the R.I. Airport Corporation was negligent on July 1, 2015 when carbon monoxide entered the office of the two Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) workers near a Southwest Airlines gate at T.F. Green.” TSA workers awarded millions after jury finds RI Airport Corp. negligent in 2015 carbon monoxide incident | WPRI.com […]

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6 patients assessed for CO exposure in Hillsboro, OR

“Firefighters with @MetroWestAmb on scene of a carbon monoxide emergency in the 1000-block of SE Walnut. 6-patients assessed for exposure. Safety reminder: Do not run gas-powered equipment inside your home or business to prevent dangerous build-up of CO gas.” And make sure you have CO alarms installed to provide an alert in case someone doesn’t […]

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WHO revises air quality guidelines for the first time in more than 15 years

“Clean air is fundamental to health,” the WHO said. Under the guidelines, the WHO lowered recommended exposure levels to key pollutants including ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. #cleanairmatters #FreshAirFriday WHO revises air quality guidelines for the first time in more than 15 years – CBS News  

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Clarksville woman’s mission: CO awareness, legislation

“It was 10 years ago this week that five people died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a recreational vehicle at Clarksville Speedway after they ran a generator that leaked into their small, rented camper. The investigation results showed the RV had a carbon monoxide detector inside, but the batteries were dead. The five people killed […]

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State’s largest hospital, UVM Medical Center, asks for $204 million increase

Vermont – “In late 2019, air circulation problems shut down five operating rooms at the Fanny Allen campus, which conducted about 30 outpatient surgeries a day. Carbon monoxide was found in the ventilation system, causing dizziness and nausea in staff. A similar issue in the building’s inpatient rehab area displaced 14 patients. After months of […]

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Taxi driver awarded $1.5 million after carbon monoxide leak

“No one told him that another driver, Sandeep Brar, was found dead in the taxi less than 24 hours before, the court judgment read. The taxi was not inspected afterwards. Mr Shahid was later found unconscious in the taxi, parked in a rank outside Crown casino. He had suffered a heart attack, hypoxia and an […]

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“People Will Lose Their Lives”: Texas Isn’t Doing Enough to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Deaths, Critics Say

Months after the deadly gas killed at least 17 Texans during a massive winter storm, lawmakers have failed to take significant action to protect most of the state’s residents. “People Will Lose Their Lives”: Texas Isn’t Doing Enough to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Deaths, Critics Say — ProPublica  

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Hotel/motel CO data: Analyzing the national fire incident reporting system to identify CO incidents in the U.S. lodging industry

Analyzing the national fire incident reporting system to identify carbon monoxide incidents in the U.S. lodging industry – ScienceDirect NFIRS data identified 3405 CO incidents in the U.S. lodging industry Lodging industry CO incidents occur at far greater rates than previously realized There is a larger public health risk associated with lodging industry CO exposure […]

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Half of the family just disappeared overnight

“Following a 911 call about a family that had fainted, first responders arrived at the house and knocked on the door. No one answered, so they left. Inside, an entire family was being poisoned by carbon monoxide.” “Half of the Family Just Disappeared Overnight” — ProPublica      

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Nebraska woman turns personal tragedy into federal legislation

“…included in the $1 trillion infrastructure bill was a little-publicized provision (SCOPE ACT), tasking the federal government to finalize a rule that requires automakers to automatically shut off keyless vehicles after idling for a certain period of time.” Bellevue woman turns personal tragedy into federal legislation (3newsnow.com) Blumenthal, Fischer & Markey Introduce Bill to Protect […]

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South Haven, MI, emergency team evacuates hotel due to carbon monoxide

“Fire personnel located the room with the greatest concentration of the gas at 150 ppm. They discovered a detached exhaust pipe from a natural gas-fired hot water heater and determined the carbon monoxide…was being released in the room…If CO alarms were not present or not operating properly this incident could have surely proven fatal. SHAES […]

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