.png)
NCOAA Hill Day 2026: Bringing Carbon Monoxide Safety to Congress
- Charon McNabb
- 29 minutes ago
- 4 min read
On March 18, 2026, members of the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA) and our coalition traveled to Washington, D.C., for Hill Day to meet with Members of Congress and their staff about one urgent truth: carbon monoxide poisoning remains a silent epidemic in America.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in America: A Growing Public Health Crisis
Too often, carbon monoxide safety is overlooked until after tragedy strikes. But the numbers tell a sobering story. More than 1,200 Americans die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, more than 100,000 emergency room visits are linked to CO annually, and poisonings have increased 65% since 2000. Meanwhile, only 1 in 2 homes has a carbon monoxide alarm, and just 1 in 3 hotel rooms across America is protected by one, even though guests are paying for safety while they sleep. State laws remain inconsistent, and the annual cost to society is estimated at $1.3 billion. This is a national public health and safety problem hiding in plain sight.
Our message on Capitol Hill: Congress can take practical steps right now to save lives.
Carbon Monoxide Safety Legislation Presented to Congress
This year, we brought three clear asks to Congress.
First, we urged support for Carbon Monoxide Action and Awareness Month, H.R. 934. Recognizing November as Carbon Monoxide Action and Awareness Month would shine a brighter national light on prevention, education, and the importance of working CO alarms. It is a simple, cost-free step for taxpayers, but one with the power to save lives by giving this overlooked public safety issue the attention it deserves.
Second, we asked lawmakers to support the Safe Stay Act, H.R. 3755. Congress has long recognized the importance of fire protection in lodging, but carbon monoxide remains a blind spot. The Safe Stay Act would close that gap by requiring CO alarms in hotels and motels under the existing federal fire prevention law. Many properties already use CO alarms, making this a common-sense step toward safer travel and lodging nationwide.
Third, we called for increased funding for the CO Poisoning Prevention Act, H.R. 1460. This law empowers the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide grants for installing CO alarms, but current funding falls far short of the need. As a result, 73 million homes across America remain unprotected without CO alarms. NCOAA urged Congress to increase the program’s funding to at least $5 million so more families and communities can be protected.
Download our NCOAA Hill Day Handout:
Coalition Leaders and Advocates Driving Carbon Monoxide Awareness
Hill Day was strengthened by the voices around the table. Coalition members included Mary and Kevin McCaffrey of the North East CO Alliance, Gabe Knight of Consumer Reports, Dane Farrell of Honeywell, Leslie Linnemann of NCOAA’s Regulations Workgroup, NCOAA Board members Kevin Sehlmeyer and Chuck Heath, who also joined Hill Day on behalf of the John Wesley Heathco Legacy Foundation, Charon McNabb, Founder of NCOAA, and Darcy Scott of the National Center for Healthy Housing.
Each member brought expertise and a shared commitment to preventing needless poisoning and death.
What’s Next: Advancing Carbon Monoxide Awareness and Prevention
Hill Day was not the finish line. It was a launch point.
The conversations in Washington made one thing clear: there is growing interest in advancing carbon monoxide safety, but progress will require persistence, coalition-building, and continued education. NCOAA is committed to carrying that work forward. We will continue building support for our legislative priorities, expanding bipartisan engagement, and making sure Congress understands both the scale of the problem and the solutions already within reach.
Carbon monoxide may be invisible, but this issue should not be.
Every family deserves to be protected. Every traveler deserves a safe stay. Every first responder deserves the right tools. And every lawmaker has an opportunity to help turn awareness into action.
We are grateful to our coalition members who stood with us on Hill Day. Their time, expertise, and advocacy helped make these conversations possible, and their partnership continues to strengthen this movement. Change like this does not happen alone. It happens when committed people show up, speak with one voice, and refuse to let preventable tragedy remain invisible.
Join NCOAA for Hill Day 2027
Join us for Hill Day 2027. Mark your calendar now for a mid-March trip to Washington, D.C., and be part of the movement to turn carbon monoxide awareness into action.
About the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA)
The National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association (NCOAA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing carbon monoxide poisoning through education, advocacy, and collaboration. We work with experts, industry leaders, and policymakers to advance safety standards, promote the use of certified carbon monoxide detection, and raise awareness about the dangers of CO. Through initiatives like Hill Day and our national coalition, NCOAA is committed to turning awareness into action and helping protect families and communities across the country.
Learn more here: https://www.ncoaa.us/