When people travel, we sometimes take for granted the place we stay will be safe. We want to know there's a working smoke detector and the locks on the door are safe. But, recently, an Iowa family died while vacationing in Mexico. It was discovered the condo they were staying in had a natural gas leak and carbon monoxide poisoning killed them.
Their story mirrors a 2013 North Carolina incident, where three people died in a Boone hotel. The hotel's pool heater exhaust pipe was damaged and leaking lethal levels of carbon monoxide.
Jeannie Williams started the Jeffrey Lee Williams Foundation in honor of her 11-year-old son,one of the victims, as a way to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide.
Since the Boone incidents, North Carolina made it a law to have carbon monoxide detectors in hotel rooms sharing a common wall, floor or ceiling with a fuel burning heater. Williams says that's not enough.Williams is also pushing to have carbon monoxide detectors installed in every hotel room.
"I realize that it's not as widespread maybe but it's a life I mean it's people and it something that you can't put a value on that," Williams said.
Only 14 states require detectors and in many states the requirement is for new construction only. Who even knows about the requirements in other countries? So, what do you do?
First Alert makes a battery operated carbon monoxide alarm. Another brand makes a handheld carbon monoxide meter with high precision CO gas test monitor. Both are relatively inexpensive.
Greensboro's assistant fire chief says both of these products are usable options and could keep you safe.
Both are small and can easily fit in your luggage the next time you travel.
Williams also recommends asking the front desk of your hotel if there have carbon monoxide detectors and where they are located.