Berliner Tageblatt - New Campaign Highlights Knowledge Gaps on Carbon Monoxide Safety Among Americans

A new investigation reveals a critical disconnect between public awareness of carbon monoxide dangers and the practical knowledge required to prevent exposure. While most Americans recognize the threat, many underestimate how easily they might miss early warning signs or confuse them with other common ailments.

According to a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, 89 percent claim to be familiar with carbon monoxide and its risks. However, 43 percent admit they only know the basics about its sources and how to protect themselves against it. The gap in knowledge becomes more pronounced when examining symptom recognition: nearly half of respondents (49 percent) could not identify carbon monoxide as a possible cause for common symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and confusion.

To address this life-threatening knowledge gap, Kidde, a home safety company with over a century of history, has launched "InCOgnito Illness," an educational video that is part of its annual "Cause for Alarm" campaign. The initiative aims to help diverse groups—including parents, pet owners, seniors, healthcare professionals, and travelers—understand how carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms often mimic those of the flu or food poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that can accumulate when fuel-burning appliances such as heaters, fireplaces, generators, and vehicles do not operate or vent properly. Because it cannot be detected by human senses, functioning carbon monoxide alarms are essential for early detection.

Charon McNabb, president and founder of the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA), emphasized that families often do not realize they have been exposed until it is too late. "The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are easily confused with those of the flu, a cold, or just feeling tired, which is why it is so important to have a working carbon monoxide detector," McNabb said. He noted that through collaboration with Kidde, the NCOAA is helping families take simple preventive steps: installing alarms in the right locations, having fuel-burning appliances inspected annually, and knowing what to do when an alarm sounds.

The danger of carbon monoxide often strikes without warning. Crystal Evers, Mrs. Illinois USA 2026 and a carbon monoxide poisoning survivor, knows this from personal experience. A hidden leak in the pool heater at her parents' new home led to a fatal accumulation of the gas. Within hours, Evers lost her mother.

"My parents had just moved into their new house and had not yet installed carbon monoxide alarms. We lost my mom in just a few hours," Evers said. "It is crucial to make sure that carbon monoxide detectors are installed and working correctly from day one to help protect your family."

Certain populations face heightened risks. Children, seniors, pets, and individuals with preexisting health conditions may be more sensitive to the effects of carbon monoxide and show signs of exposure sooner than healthy adults. For these groups, early detection is particularly vital.

Experts advise consumers to look for alarms that have undergone independent testing and carry certification from a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as those bearing the ETL Listed or UL Listed marks. Kidde's new generation of carbon monoxide detectors features enhanced detection technology, with low-level carbon monoxide alerts available on select models.

Safety concerns extend beyond the home. Risks persist while traveling, as hotels, vacation rentals, cabins, and other temporary accommodations may have unfamiliar heating systems or lack carbon monoxide detectors entirely. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, only 14 states require carbon monoxide detectors in hotels and motels.

The importance of travel safety was highlighted by Chuck and Jill Heathco, who lost their son John in 2023 to carbon monoxide poisoning while staying at a hotel in Cabo San Lucas. The couple established the John Wesley Heathco Legacy Foundation to honor their son and raise awareness about carbon monoxide risks during travel.

"After losing Johnny, we want other families to understand that carbon monoxide safety is not limited to the home and that taking steps to protect yourself while traveling can make a difference," Chuck Heathco said. "We hope Johnny's story encourages families to make carbon monoxide safety part of every trip."

Travelers are advised to consider carrying a battery-operated Kidde carbon monoxide alarm for an additional layer of protection. These devices are designed exclusively for use in air-conditioned spaces and are not approved for use in recreational vehicles or boats. Users should pack the device carefully, remove batteries before traveling, reinstall them upon arrival, and verify that the device is functioning correctly.

The "InCOgnito Illness" video is available on Kidde's YouTube channel, with further information on symptom recognition and prevention available at Kidde.com.

M.Ouellet--BTB