Latest news with #JohnHeathco
Travel Weekly
01-07-2025
- Health
- Travel Weekly
U.S. lawmakers push for carbon monoxide detectors in hotels and short-term rentals
Chuck Heathco still recalls the last video his son John sent him back in 2023, showing off a beautiful guestroom at the Rancho Pescadero, a five-star beachfront resort on Mexico's Baja peninsula. Within hours of arriving at the property, however, both John and his girlfriend, Abby Lutz, fell ill, reporting severe headaches and nausea. The young couple died soon after, unaware that they had been slowly poisoned in their room by carbon monoxide. "Johnny's death should never have happened, and no family should have to endure the devastation that we have had to live with," his father said. "While he's no longer with us, and we grieve his passing every day, we want to ensure that what happened to him does not happen to anyone else." That determination led Heathco and his wife, Jill, to launch the John Wesley Heathco Legacy Foundation earlier this year. The nonprofit is dedicated to eliminating carbon monoxide poisonings among travelers through advocacy, public awareness, education and technological innovation. The foundation's launch comes as carbon monoxide poisoning at hotels is back in the media spotlight, following two high-profile incidents this year. In February, three American women reportedly died from carbon monoxide poisoning at a hotel in Belize. In March, Miller Gardner, the teenage son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, died at a luxury Costa Rican resort in what local authorities attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning, although the investigation is ongoing. Those stories are among the many inspiring U.S. lawmakers to push for nationwide safety standards around carbon monoxide. On June 5, Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Mike Levin (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Safe Stay Act in Congress. The proposed federal legislation would mandate carbon monoxide detector installation in all U.S. hotels and short-term lodging properties. Currently, this requirement exists in only 14 states. Chuck Heathco "The Safe Stay Act has been brought before Congress twice in the last five years, but both times it was shut down with not a single Republican vote," Heathco said. While those recent incidents happened overseas, U.S. hotels also face carbon monoxide poisoning risks. According to a study in Preventive Medicine Reports, more than 3,400 carbon monoxide incidents occurred at U.S. hotels between 1999 and 2018, amounting to roughly 170 incidents annually. The Jenkins Foundation -- a nonprofit formed in honor of Daryl and Shirley Jenkins, who died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a North Carolina hotel in 2013 -- has documented at least 167 deaths and more than 2,500 injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning in U.S. hotels and resorts since 1967. While battery-operated detectors can cost as little as $20, hardwiring systems throughout existing properties requires more significant investment. "I think that the resistance is all financial," Heathco said. "We don't understand how anyone -- from lawmakers to trade associations representing the hotel industry -- could oppose this legislation." The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), which has more than 32,000 lodging property members within its fold, said it urges hotel owners to go beyond minimum requirements. "While carbon monoxide incidents in hotel settings remain rare, AHLA emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to protect guests and employees," said a spokesperson, who added that the group encourages members to follow best practices, including regular inspection and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances, proper installation of carbon monoxide detectors in applicable areas and ongoing staff training on monitoring and emergency response procedures. Major hospitality companies have also addressed carbon monoxide safety. Hyatt Hotels Corp., whose Unbound Collection brand included the Rancho Pescadero resort when Heathco died, said the property was owned and operated by a third party. "Immediately following the tragedy, we launched a rigorous process to review every Hyatt property's compliance with our safety standard," Hyatt said, adding that it "maintains strict safety standards and requires carbon monoxide detectors in all areas of hotels with gas appliances, which meets or exceeds requirements by regional authorities." Taking precautions Travel professionals are not immune to the risks of carbon monoxide. In 2022, three Americans died from reported carbon monoxide poisoning at the Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas, including two travel advisors, Michael and Robbie Phillips. In the wake of their deaths, Sandals Resorts underwent a comprehensive safety review and has installed carbon monoxide detectors across the group's resort portfolio, the company said. Caitlin Stolzenthaler, owner of Curated by Caitlin, was at the Sandals Emerald Bay when the deaths occurred. "Out of caution, we actually slept with the windows open that final night in an effort to put my mind at ease," she said. "That experience left a lasting impression on me." It also prompted her to buy a portable carbon monoxide detector, and she advises concerned clients to do the same and that they be aware of symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning like headaches, dizziness and nausea, which can be mistaken for other common illnesses. Stolzenthaler said the topic of carbon monoxide doesn't come up often, but one of her clients canceled a trip this year due to concern related to the Costa Rica death. Lee Friedman, founder and CEO of Mango Tree Travel, said he had two families headed to Belize shortly after this year's incidents. They opted to buy portable carbon monoxide detectors that cost less than $20. "I always tell my clients that it's worth it to spend a little extra on things that are causing them stress before a family vacation, since traveling with kids is stressful enough," Lee said. "So if $20 and a little extra room in the suitcase could help them sleep better at night, I was all for it."
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hotel carbon monoxide alarm rule reintroduced in Congress
This story was originally published on Hotel Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Hotel Dive newsletter. U.S. Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN) and Mike Levin (D-CA) reintroduced legislation to Congress that would require carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in every hotel and short-term rental room in the country, according to an announcement Thursday. Rep. Craig previously introduced the bill, dubbed the Stay Safe Act, in 2020. In its earlier version, the Safe Stay Act was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology but did not move out of the committee. A similar law went into effect in Minnesota in August of last year, according to the announcement, though the majority of states do not require in-room carbon monoxide detectors. The American Hotel & Lodging Association has previously encouraged hotels to install carbon monoxide monitoring equipment in spaces with fuel-burning appliances and in immediately attached spaces 'at a minimum.' Craig initially introduced the Stay Safe Act in response to the hospitalization of Minnesotan Leslie Lienemann and her son, who were poisoned in a Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham in Warren, Michigan, in 2019, per The New York Times. 'My son and I suffer life-long physical and emotional effects of carbon monoxide poisoning because there was no carbon monoxide alarm in our hotel room,' Lienemann said in a statement on Craig's website. 'Carbon monoxide is undetectable without a CO alarm.' 'We have the tools to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and save lives — and we should be using them,' Craig said in a statement. The bill specifies that compliant carbon monoxide alarms must be installed 'in each sleeping or dwelling unit within each place of public accommodation affecting commerce.' Currently, only 14 states require carbon monoxide detectors in hospitality settings, according to the John Wesley Heathco Legacy Foundation, which was founded after American travelers John Heathco and Abby Lutz died of carbon monoxide poisoning at a Hyatt resort in Mexico in 2023. AHLA's Safe Stay initiative, which offers guidelines for hotels, encourages hotels to adhere to the fire and mechanical codes in their respective jurisdictions. It also says hotel staff should be familiar with their property's carbon monoxide monitoring capabilities — including the location of detectors and sounds of alarms — and be trained in emergency procedures. 'Johnny's death should never have happened, and no family should have to endure the devastation that we have had to live with for nearly two years, and that we will live with for the rest of our lives,' said John Heathco's parents, Chuck and Jill Heathco, and his sister and brother-in-law, Keri and Tyler Bliss, in a joint statement obtained by Hotel Dive. The issue of carbon monoxide poisoning made headlines earlier this year when three American tourists died in a hotel room in Belize, per NBC News. The Stay Safe Act was again referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on Thursday. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Family fights for carbon monoxide safety after tragedy
Following their own tragedy, one family is hoping to help save others from a hidden danger while traveling. In 2023, John Heathco and his girlfriend, Abby, were supposed to be enjoying a long weekend by the beach in Mexico, but within hours of getting to their hotel, they felt like something was off. "They had a couple tacos and some guacamole by the pool, went back to the room and started feeling awful," said Chuck Heathco, father of John. They thought it was food poisoning, but John Heathco's family said the couple's hotel room had been filled with a silent killer: carbon monoxide. "After dinner, they went back to the room and never came back out of the room," said Keri Bliss, John Heathco's sister. Prosecutors said the two had been dead for 11 or 12 hours when they were found in their hotel room. Police said that paramedics received a report that the Americans were unconscious in their room. They were dead by the time paramedics arrived. The 40-year-old's family described him as intelligent, loving and supportive. "He was my best friend, too," said Jill Heathco, John Heathco's mother. Taking action to save lives Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires kills about 400 Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Heathco family is speaking for the first time as they launch the John Wesley Heathco Legacy Foundation, an effort to legally require hotels to have working carbon monoxide detectors in each room. Currently, only 14 states mandate it, including: California, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. "Something has to happen to help prevent this from another family suffering, the loss we have with Johnny and Abby," said Jill Heathco. The family hopes to empower travelers with safety information. "Losing Johnny, I pray that no other family has to go through that loss," Jill Heathco said. "We've got a tremendous hole in our heart." Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig and Rep. Mike Levin of California plan to introduce new legislation to require carbon monoxide detectors in hotels and other short-term rentals. "You would think the large hotel chains would actually do this preventively," said Craig. "I mean, these are literally people's lives that are being impacted. People are dying." Lawmakers acknowledge this legislation comes with the cost of installing and maintaining carbon monoxide detectors in each hotel room. "It's common sense and it's something that I hope we can get passed and get signed into law and save lives," said Levin. For the Heathco family, a life saved means one less family living with their kind of heartbreak. "What I think about a lot is I'm the father of an amazing man," said Chuck Heathco. "And to this day, I still find myself wanting to be more like him." Recent carbon monoxide incidents A CBS News data review of FEMA's National Fire Incident Reporting System found that over the last 15 years, fire departments nationwide responded to about 360 carbon monoxide incidents at U.S. hotels and motels annually. Data on deaths from the reported incidents is not closely tracked. In February, three Massachusetts women in their 20s died in their hotel room while on vacation in Belize. The cause was determined to be carbon monoxide poisoning. In April, officials in Costa Rica determined carbon monoxide was the cause of death for Miller Gardner, the teen son of retired New York Yankees player Brett Gardner. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include: HeadacheDizzinessNauseaVomitingWeaknessChest painConfusionPreventing carbon monoxide poisoning Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable with detectors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises people to have a separate CO detector on each floor. "If you are getting a single carbon monoxide detector, place it near the sleeping areas and make certain the alarm is loud enough to wake you up," the EPA notes on its website. The agency says like smoke detectors, they need to be tested regularly. Travelers can also purchase a portable carbon monoxide detector for about $25. In a statement, chief communications officer for the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Ralph Posner, told CBS News: "While carbon monoxide incidents in hotel settings remain rare, AHLA emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to protect guests and employees. Our members are required to comply with all applicable local and state codes with respect to carbon monoxide detection, typically adapted from the International Fire Code. AHLA also encourages our members to follow industry-wide best practices, including regular inspection and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances, proper installation of carbon monoxide detectors in applicable areas, and ongoing staff training on monitoring and emergency response procedures." Car bomb outside Palm Springs fertility clinic was act of terrorism, officials say Maintenance worker arrested as manhunt for Louisiana escaped inmates continues More alarming Newark airport traffic control outages reported
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Family fights for carbon monoxide safety after personal tragedy: "Tremendous hole in our heart"
Family fights to save others from carbon monoxide poisoning following their own tragedy Following their own tragedy, one family is hoping to help save others from a hidden danger while traveling. In 2023, John Heathco and his girlfriend, Abby, were supposed to be enjoying a long weekend by the beach in Mexico, but within hours of getting to their hotel, they felt like something was off. "They had a couple tacos and some guacamole by the pool, went back to the room and started feeling awful," said Chuck Heathco, father of John. They thought it was food poisoning, but John Heathco's family said the couple's hotel room had been filled with a silent killer: carbon monoxide. "After dinner, they went back to the room and never came back out of the room," said Keri Bliss, John Heathco's sister. Prosecutors said the two had been dead for 11 or 12 hours when they were found in their hotel room. Police said that paramedics received a report that the Americans were unconscious in their room. They were dead by the time paramedics arrived. The 40-year-old's family described him as intelligent, loving and supportive. "He was my best friend, too," said Jill Heathco, John Heathco's mother. Taking action to save lives Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires kills about 400 Americans each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Heathco family is speaking for the first time as they launch the John Wesley Heathco Legacy Foundation, an effort to legally require hotels to have working carbon monoxide detectors in each room. Currently, only 14 states mandate it, including: California, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. "Something has to happen to help prevent this from another family suffering, the loss we have with Johnny and Abby," said Jill Heathco. The family hopes to empower travelers with safety information. "Losing Johnny, I pray that no other family has to go through that loss," Jill Heathco said. "We've got a tremendous hole in our heart." Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig and Rep. Mike Levin of California plan to introduce new legislation to require carbon monoxide detectors in hotels and other short-term rentals. "You would think the large hotel chains would actually do this preventively," said Craig. "I mean, these are literally people's lives that are being impacted. People are dying." Lawmakers acknowledge this legislation comes with the cost of installing and maintaining carbon monoxide detectors in each hotel room. "It's common sense and it's something that I hope we can get passed and get signed into law and save lives," said Levin. For the Heathco family, a life saved means one less family living with their kind of heartbreak. "What I think about a lot is I'm the father of an amazing man," said Chuck Heathco. "And to this day, I still find myself wanting to be more like him." Recent carbon monoxide incidents A CBS News data review of FEMA's National Fire Incident Reporting System found that over the last 15 years, fire departments nationwide responded to about 360 carbon monoxide incidents at U.S. hotels and motels annually. Data on deaths from the reported incidents is not closely tracked. In February, three Massachusetts women in their 20s died in their hotel room while on vacation in Belize. The cause was determined to be carbon monoxide poisoning. In April, officials in Costa Rica determined carbon monoxide was the cause of death for Miller Gardner, the teen son of retired New York Yankees player Brett Gardner. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include: Headache Dizziness Nausea Vomiting Weakness Chest pain Confusion Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable with detectors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises people to have a separate CO detector on each floor. "If you are getting a single carbon monoxide detector, place it near the sleeping areas and make certain the alarm is loud enough to wake you up," the EPA notes on its website. The agency says like smoke detectors, they need to be tested regularly. Travelers can also purchase a portable carbon monoxide detector for about $25. In a statement, chief communications officer for the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Ralph Posner, told CBS News: "While carbon monoxide incidents in hotel settings remain rare, AHLA emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to protect guests and employees. Our members are required to comply with all applicable local and state codes with respect to carbon monoxide detection, typically adapted from the International Fire Code. AHLA also encourages our members to follow industry-wide best practices, including regular inspection and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances, proper installation of carbon monoxide detectors in applicable areas, and ongoing staff training on monitoring and emergency response procedures."
