Carbon monoxide poisoning is the biggest silent killer in the United States. Last week, five teenagers died in a Florida hotel room, and carbon monoxide poisoning is being blamed for their deaths. The five friends were found in a motel room in Hialeah Florida, and had apparently gathered to celebrate the birthday of one of the teenagers. The maid at the hotel discovered the bodies and called 911.

Fire crews conducted tests on the air in the room, and found high concentrations of carbon monoxide. The room in which the bodies were found is located over the garage. The group’s car was found still running in the garage.  A door to the staircase leading to the garage was left open and allowed carbon monoxide from the vehicle’s exhaust to enter the room.  Toxicology reports confirmed the group had died of accidental CO poisoning.

Unfortunately, death from carbon monoxide poisoning is all too common. According to California carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer Patrick Bailey, this is a tragedy which occurs too frequently. According to Bailey, “most motels don't have carbon monoxide detectors, and many do not conduct annual inspections, which is a recognized minimum safety standard.” According to Bailey, “this simply should never have happened. Five families’ lives have been devastated because of the nation's number-one silent killer:  CO poisoning.”

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that is formed as a result of burning material containing carbon. It is often found in car exhaust, but can also be produced by common household appliances like water heaters, charcoal grills, generators, propane stoves and wall heaters.” The risks of carbon monoxide poisoning come when these dangerous fumes accumulate in confined spaces.