Safeguarding Our Communities
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CO kills 500 people every year and sends more than 20,000 to emergency rooms annually. Because you cannot see, taste or smell the poisonous gas, the only safe way to detect carbon monoxide fumes is with a working CO alarm.
The mission of the PSHC is to provide a voice and platform for lawmakers, emergency service organizations, medical professionals, children’s advocates, and concerned individuals who want to enhance the safety and security of single- and multi-family homes within the Commonwealth through legislative means.In the near future, we are anticipating the introduction of legislation that seeks to safeguard our communities from the dangers of CO poisoning. Similar measures have already been passed in 21 other states as well as Philadelphia.
In the near future, we are anticipating the introduction of legislation that seeks to safeguard our communities from the dangers of CO poisoning. Similar measures have already been passed in 21 other states as well as Philadelphia.
JOIN THE EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF PA HOMES!
We need your support to help assure that Pennsylvanians live in the safest environment possible. It is important that we build a strong coalition to achieve this goal. CLICK HERE to join the Pennsylvania Safe Homes Coalition.
SO FAR THIS FALL/WINTER SEASON…
More than 103* Pennsylvanians have been sickened or killed by carbon monoxide poisoning.
(Organized by date, county, victims, and cause of CO buildup)
April 14, Chester: Family of 4, plus 3 emergency workers; man used gas-powered tool in the basement
March 16, Allegheny: Main dies from CO poisoning, 2 others hospitalized; car left running in garage
March 16, Blair: Man dies from CO poisoning, wife hospitalized; malfunctioning furnace or flue
March 6, Luzerne: Two men die from carbon monoxide inhalation; cause not yet known
February 24, Lancaster: Two men nearly die in home, due to malfunctioning coal stove; saved by one coworker who came to check up
February 12, Berks: 29 residents of apartment building sickened or hospitalized; two malfunctioning heaters
February 2, Allegheny: Pregnant woman, child, & 2 more adults hospitalized; gas leak in apartment building
February 1, Chester: Family of 5 saved by their CO alarm; source of CO not yet known
January 31, Lancaster: Couple hospitalized, no CO alarm but called 911; malfunctioning coal stove
January 25, Schuylkill: Mom and 2 kids hospitalized; exhaust from neighbor’s coal furnace
January 25, Luzerne: 4 people living in duplex hospitalized; new furnace working improperly & chimney blocked
January 19, Chester: 9 people (including 5 kids) hospitalized; chimney blocked at furnace connection
January 18, Franklin: 7 people in apartment building hospitalized; faulty furnace
January 13, Lehigh: Man discovered unconscious in his home; source of CO not yet known
December 30, Delaware: Two families (3 adults and 5 children) hospitalized, saved by CO alarm; malfunctioning gas stove
December 29, York: Family of 6 (including 4 kids) hospitalized; malfunctioning heater
December 28, Schuylkill: Man dies in home, his wife hospitalized; malfunctioning coal stoker
December 25, Franklin: Man dies in home; leaking wood stove pipe
December 21, Allegheny: 9 people hospitalized, including an infant; ruptured gas line
December 9, Monroe: Elderly woman dies in her home, due to CO buildup from kitchen fire
December 9, Allegheny: Elderly couple hospitalized, one near death; malfunctioning furnace
December 5, Philadelphia: 4 children hospitalized, source of CO in home not yet known
December 5, Philadelphia: 3 women hospitalized, source of CO not yet known
November 29, Northampton: Family of 5 hospitalized, faulty heating system
November 28, Montgomery: 3 adults and 2 children in apartment building hospitalized, faulty heater
November 28, Berks: 7 people in row homes hospitalized, blocked chimney
November 26, Dauphin: Two families (4 people) in duplex saved by CO alarm, coal stove not ventilating properly
November 25, Montgomery: Elderly woman dies in her home, accidentally left car running in garage
November 23, Lehigh: Two families (6 people) in row homes sickened and hospitalized, malfunctioning oil burner
November 19, Dauphin: 25 sickened by tractor fumes at Farm Show event
November 17, Allegheny: 10 apartment building tenants evacuated after CO alarm went off, gas furnace likely culprit
November 13, Erie: Man and his son die, left gas-powered generator running in enclosed space
October 31, Delaware: Woman dies in her home, malfunctioning furnace
October 31, Lehigh: 3 adults, 1 child hospitalized, gas generator exhaust pipe malfunctioned
October 31, Allegheny: 2 adults, 2 children hospitalized, malfunctioning boiler
October 27, Allegheny: Family of 7 hospitalized, furnace poorly ventilated
October 12, Allegheny: Mother and 2 children hospitalized, saved by CO alarm
October 3, Northumberland: Family of 3 dies, gas furnace malfunctioned
October 3, Berks: Two families (4 people) in duplex hospitalized, faulty oil burner
September 8, Pike: Husband and wife die, left gas-powered generator running in enclosed space
*Please note that these are only incidents reported by media. Currently no database exists in PA to keep track of all incidents.
