From State Momentum to Federal Action: Why November Must Be Carbon Monoxide Action & Awareness Month

Carbon monoxide (CO) is often called the “silent killer” for a reason: it’s invisible, odorless, and can be deadly. The hardest part is this: most CO tragedies are preventable, with the right education, safer practices, and early detection.

That’s why a major step forward happened in Congress.

In the 119th Congress, U.S. Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) introduced House Resolution 934 (H. Res. 934), a bipartisan resolution calling for the nationwide recognition of November as “Carbon Monoxide Action and Awareness Month.” The resolution, co-sponsored by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), was introduced on December 5, 2025, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Why This Federal Recognition Matters

Carbon monoxide poisoning continues to cause hundreds of deaths and more than 100,000

emergency department visits annually. And too many households still lack CO detection, often not because people don’t care, but because they don’t realize the risk, don’t know what to install, or don’t understand how CO exposure happens.

A national “Action and Awareness Month” helps unify the message across:

• Public health and emergency management agencies

• Fire service and first responders

• Schools and community organizations

• Manufacturers, retailers, and employers

It’s the kind of coordination that makes prevention easier to understand and easier to act on.

The Momentum Behind This Moment: What States Have Already Proven Works

Federal recognition didn’t appear out of nowhere. It reflects years of state and community leadership that have shown exactly what’s possible when prevention becomes coordinated and consistent.

Michigan: A Model for “One Voice” Awareness

Michigan’s work is a strong example of how statewide alignment can reduce confusion and increase public engagement.

Michigan formally recognized CO Awareness Month beginning in April 2021 and continued through 2024. In November 2024, the state made a strategic shift, moving recognition to November to better align with seasonal risk and national efforts.

Then in November 2025, Michigan reached a new milestone: key agencies and partners aligned around one unified public message. The Bureau of Fire Services, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and the Michigan State Police (MSP), alongside MI Prevention and LARA, supported a coordinated proclamation, joint press effort, and consistent educational messaging.

That “one voice” approach matters. It strengthens clarity, increases reach, and helps families understand what to do before an emergency.

As Kym Pashkowski of the Michigan State Fire Marshal’s Office explains, “The Michigan State Fire Marshal’s Office and MI Prevention take carbon monoxide awareness very seriously. Over the past seven years, we have strengthened statewide partnerships, expanded public-facing education, and improved how we communicate about CO risks. We are incredibly proud of our collaboration with our sister state agencies—MDHHS and MSP—for their consistent leadership. In November 2025, our agencies jointly released a unified press release and a gubernatorial proclamation recognizing November as CO Awareness Month. This shared effort, paired with coordinated social media messaging and educational resources, represents phenomenal progress in protecting Michiganders from carbon monoxide.”

Advocacy That Saves Lives: Pennsylvania & Delaware

State progress is also fueled by advocates who transform tragedy into action.

After losing her daughter Carly to carbon monoxide poisoning in 2014, Donna Imbierowicz founded CMI Awareness and the Save a Family – Save a Pet Carbon Monoxide Awareness Campaign. Her efforts have helped distribute more than 1,500 CO detectors to families in need, devices that have already proven lifesaving.

Donna also supports November recognition efforts in Pennsylvania each year and has helped advance recognition in Delaware in Carly’s memory:

“We know that we have saved lives because a few CO detectors distributed actually went off when installed. Since Carly’s death, our family has traveled each year to the Capitol of Pennsylvania to support their Senator’s resolution and proclamation to make November Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month.The Governor of Delaware also proclaimed November Carbon Monoxide Awareness in Carly’s memory. By making November Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month on a federal level will increase public awareness and save even more lives. Carbon Monoxide deaths and injuries are 100 percent preventable.”

These stories highlight the same truth: state action works, because families everywhere deserve the same level of awareness and protection.

Turning Awareness into Prevention: What to Do Right Now

A federal “Action and Awareness Month” only matters if it drives real-world steps that prevent poisoning. Here’s what every household can do today:

• Install and test CO alarms. Place them on every level and near sleeping areas, and test regularly.

  • Important note: Home CO alarms sold in the U.S. are designed and manufactured to UL 2034 standards. That means they generally alarm only when CO levels remain elevated (for example, above 70 ppm for up to 4 hours) and typically will not alarm at levels below 30 ppm. Alarms are critical, but prevention behaviors and safe equipment use are just as important.

• Get fuel-burning appliances inspected (furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces).

• Never run generators or grills indoors or in garages, even with the door open.

• Share this message before storms and outages, when risk spikes fast.

Help Make Prevention National

We can eliminate carbon monoxide poisoning—and we believe it must be a national priority, not a patchwork of awareness depending on zip code.

Support NCOAA’s prevention work by sharing CO safety guidance, partnering with our outreach efforts, and donating to help us expand education and detector access for families who need it most.

Take action today:

• Share this article

• Check your alarms

• Support NCOAA’s mission to eliminate CO poisoning by 2040