In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to have licensed childcare centers and licensed family childcare homes located in buildings with potential carbon monoxide sources to be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms. 

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that can be deadly in minutes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that unintentional CO poisoning kills hundreds of Americans and sends tens of thousands to emergency departments each year. Young children are especially vulnerable because they may not recognize or be able to describe symptoms like headache, nausea, or confusion, and caregivers may not immediately connect those symptoms to CO exposure.

Many of our childcare centers and family childcare homes operate in buildings with furnaces, water heaters, gas stoves, attached garages, or other potential CO sources. When a malfunction occurs, there is often no warning until people become sick. A $25 carbon monoxide alarm can alert staff early so they can safely evacuate children and call for help. 

Economic reports show that unintentional, non-fire-related (UNFR) CO poisonings result in $37-43 million annually in combined medical costs and lost productivity in the United States. This is driven by emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and time away from work. CO alarms deliver safety and economic benefits that far exceed their cost.

This bill will establish clear, statewide standards and inspection requirements, while minimizing additional administrative burden on providers. It will also provide flexibility in compliance, consistent with nationally recognized life-safety codes, recognizing that many childcare centers and family childcare homes already voluntarily utilize carbon monoxide alarms.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to help prevent avoidable tragedies and strengthen safety for Pennsylvania’s children.