Deadly Risks on the Road: Why Carbon Monoxide Safety While Traveling Matters More Than Ever

Travel with a portable carbon monoxide detector. It could very well save your life.

Over the past year, we’ve seen far too many heartbreaking stories: families falling ill, and in some tragic cases, losing their lives, while staying in hotels, vacation rentals, or other temporary accommodations. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is often to blame, and it’s called the invisible killer for good reason. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, but it can strike anyone, anywhere, without warning. From a group of vacationers hospitalized after a CO leak in a rental cabin, to multiple fatalities in hotels where faulty pool heaters or aging furnaces were to blame, the evidence is clear: this invisible gas is a serious travel hazard.

And it’s not just in modest or budget accommodations, carbon monoxide poisonings occur in 5-star luxury hotels and resorts. Even celebrities and public figures have been affected, proving this risk doesn’t discriminate. CO exposure can happen to anyone, anywhere, no matter how upscale the setting.

These tragedies are preventable. That’s why it’s essential to take simple precautions whenever you’re away from home.

7 Easy Steps for Staying Safe from Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning While Traveling

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that’s seriously dangerous. Even short-term exposure to high levels, or low levels over time, can cause permanent injury or even be deadly. Most people think about CO safety at home, but it's just as important to stay alert when you're traveling. Hotels, vacation rentals, and other places you stay may not always have working CO alarms. Here’s what you can do to stay safe while on the move:

1. Inquire About CO Detectors Before Booking

   Prior to confirming your stay, ask if the accommodation is equipped with carbon monoxide detectors. While some platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo indicate the presence of CO alarms in their listings, it's advisable to verify this information directly with the host or property manager. Be sure to ask when the CO detector was last tested and last replaced. CO detectors should be tested every 6 months and replaced every 7 years to ensure they’re functioning properly.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

2. Carry a Portable CO Detector

   For added safety, consider bringing a portable carbon monoxide detector. These devices are compact, affordable, and can alert you to dangerous CO levels in unfamiliar environments. Ensure the detector meets safety standards and has a battery backup. You can find trusted, travel-ready CO detectors at www.ncoaa.us/shop.

   

   Carbon Monoxide Clip - Handheld CO Detector

   
   

3. Don’t Rely on Symptoms to Detect Exposure. 

   While it’s important to know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning—such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, chest pain, and confusion—do not rely on symptoms alone. By the time symptoms appear, brain injury may already be occurring, making it harder to protect yourself or others. Always rely on working CO alarms and monitors to detect danger and alert you in time.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

4. Avoid Rooms Near Pools or Pool Equipment Rooms

   It might not be something you'd normally think about, but try not to stay in rooms located next to a pool or a pool equipment room. These spaces often store pool chemicals that can cause corrosion in pool heaters or boilers. That corrosion can create tiny leak paths for carbon monoxide to escape—sometimes right into nearby rooms. If a leak does happen, you’ll want to be as far away from it as possible.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

5. Check for Proper Ventilation and Warning Signs

   You probably won’t have access to all of the building’s equipment or mechanical rooms, so it’ll be virtually impossible to know if everything’s working safely. Carbon monoxide is invisible, you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. So even if everything looks fine and there are no warning signs, a working CO alarm is the only way to know the air your family is breathing is truly safe.

   
   

   But there are still a few quick checks you can do:

   
   

   1. Make sure vents and flues aren’t blocked by furniture, dust, or debris.

   2. Avoid using any gas appliance that vents into the room instead of outside.

   3. Watch for warning signs like:

      1. Black soot or “witness marks” above fireplaces or fuel-burning appliances

      2. Rust or bubbling paint on water heaters

      3. Rust or streaking on furnaces

   
   

   These can be signs that carbon monoxide might be leaking into your space. If anything seems off, don’t use the appliance; report it right away. And remember, only a working CO alarm can alert you in time. Don’t rely on looks or symptoms to tell you the air is safe.

   
   

   

   
   

6. Avoid Using Fuel-Burning Devices Indoors or Near the Building

   Never operate charcoal grills, portable gas stoves, or generators inside your accommodation or in enclosed spaces like garages. Also, avoid placing them near open windows, doors, or vents. Carbon monoxide can quickly travel through even small cracks and openings, rapidly accumulating indoors and putting everyone at risk. Always keep these devices well away from living areas, at least 20 feet away, and make sure the exhaust is directed away from the building.

   
   

   

   Never use a generator indoors.

7. Know Emergency Procedures

   Identify the nearest exits and have an evacuation plan in case of a CO alarm. If your CO detector alerts you to elevated levels, leave the premises immediately and seek fresh air. Contact emergency services and inform them of the situation. Doctors can diagnose acute poisoning but only if an arterial blood test is performed within 2.5-4 hours (ideally < 2 hours) after the poisoning occurs.

   
   

   

   
   

By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning during your travels, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience.

About NCOAA

The National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA) is on a mission to eliminate carbon monoxide poisoning by 2030. We work year-round to educate the public, advocate for better safety standards, and provide life-saving resources like portable CO monitors to families in need.

If this guide helped you, or if you want to help protect others, please consider donating. Every dollar supports our education campaigns, advocacy work, and outreach programs.

👉 Donate today at www.ncoaa.us/donate and help us save lives. Together, we can make carbon monoxide poisoning a thing of the past.