This article talks about 5 deaths that have occured in Colorado in the recent past due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The author points out that, on average, 9 people die in Colorado each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. This is a relatively small number, but as the writer points out, these are easily preventable deaths. There is a carbon monoxide detector, very similar to a fire detector in its function but more helpful because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless.
Colorado State Rep. Lois Court supports a potential bill that would require installing these detectors in new homes, in homes being sold, and into apartments when new tenants moves in. I agree with this idea; it isn't worth the risk to not install a detector. I am actually worried about this personally because one of the deaths was a Denver graduate student living in an apartment close to campus. If this can happen in Colorado, this can happen right here at BYU.
As the author points out, it is not reasonable to expect people to bring these detectors with them when they travel, so I think the carbon monoxide detectors should be required in hotels and motels as well. When deaths could be prevented this easily, who could argue otherwise?
2 comments:
What are the statistics for carbon monoxide deaths or casualties in Utah in the last 5 years?
I could not find the information from the last 5 years but an article written by University Health Care said "Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning kills an estimated 500 people and sends approximately 20,000 more to emergency rooms nationwide each year. In Utah, 314 cases of CO poisoning and 23 deaths were reported in 2006 (the latest numbers available)."
http://healthcare.utah.edu/publicaffairs/news/current/news%20item1.html
Post a Comment