Bill Summary
The proposed resolution aims to designate November 2025 as "Carbon Monoxide Action and Awareness Month," highlighting the importance of educating the public about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and promoting preventive measures. It recognizes the serious health risks posed by CO, such as its role in hundreds of deaths and over 100,000 emergency medical visits each year, mainly occurring in residential settings. The resolution emphasizes that a significant portion of the U.S. population lacks proper carbon monoxide detection systems in their homes, increasing vulnerability to this invisible and odorless gas.
Key provisions include encouraging collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies with health organizations to enhance awareness and safety efforts. It urges citizens to install and maintain certified carbon monoxide alarms and to understand the symptoms of poisoning. Furthermore, it highlights the economic burden of CO poisoning and commends first responders and health professionals for their efforts in prevention and education. Overall, the resolution seeks to foster a safer environment and reduce the incidence of carbon monoxide poisoning through increased awareness and proactive measures.
Possible Impacts
The resolution to recognize November 2025 as "Carbon Monoxide Action and Awareness Month" can have several significant effects on individuals and communities. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Awareness and Education**: By promoting nationwide education about carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, individuals will become more informed about the risks associated with CO exposure. This increased awareness may lead to more people understanding the importance of having working carbon monoxide detectors in their homes and recognizing the signs of poisoning, ultimately resulting in fewer incidents and saving lives.
2. **Improved Safety Standards and Practices**: The resolution encourages collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies, as well as public health organizations, to expand awareness and prevention efforts. This could lead to stronger regulations surrounding the installation and maintenance of CO detectors, as well as the safe use of gas-powered equipment, particularly during emergencies like hurricanes. Consequently, households may adopt better safety practices, significantly reducing the likelihood of carbon monoxide poisoning.
3. **Economic Benefits**: With an annual cost of over $1.3 billion due to hospital expenses and lost productivity from carbon monoxide poisoning, the resolution's focus on prevention could lead to lower healthcare costs and reduced economic burden on families and the healthcare system. As more homes become equipped with certified CO detectors and as public education increases, fewer individuals will require emergency medical care for CO poisoning, resulting in financial savings for both families and healthcare providers.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 934 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 934
Supporting the recognition of November 2025 as ``Carbon Monoxide Action
and Awareness Month'' and promoting nationwide education, prevention,
and detection efforts to protect United States families from carbon
monoxide poisoning.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 5, 2025
Mr. Patronis (for himself and Mr. Gottheimer) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the recognition of November 2025 as ``Carbon Monoxide Action
and Awareness Month'' and promoting nationwide education, prevention,
and detection efforts to protect United States families from carbon
monoxide poisoning.
Whereas carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas that can
cause serious poisoning incidents resulting in hundreds of deaths, over
100,000 emergency medical care visits, and approximately 14,000
hospitalizations each year;
Whereas more than 400 United States citizens die annually from unintentional
carbon monoxide poisoning and as many as 30 to 40 percent of victims die
before reaching the hospital;
Whereas an estimated 76 percent of carbon monoxide poisoning cases occur in
residential settings, demonstrating that the greatest risk exists in
everyday home environments;
Whereas approximately 86,200,000 United States citizens, or 36 percent of
adults, have no carbon monoxide detection or alarm system in their
homes, leaving millions of families unprotected from a preventable
danger;
Whereas environmental exposures in the home, including toxic gases, such as
carbon monoxide, are known drivers of chronic disease, particularly
among children, the elderly, and immunocompromised populations;
Whereas it is important to use carbon monoxide detectors that have been tested
and certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory in order to
verify compliance with UL standards;
Whereas certification is critical to help United States citizens recognize that
these devices meet the standard safety and performance requirements;
Whereas national health initiatives have identified healthy homes as a critical
component of preventive healthcare, calling for improved public
awareness, strengthened safety standards, and greater coordination
between public agencies and private partners to address indoor
environmental risks;
Whereas carbon monoxide poisoning poses a significant risk after hurricanes due
to improper use of gasoline powered generators and those poisonings
could be prevented by carbon monoxide alarms and by placing gas
generators more than 20 feet from indoor structures;
Whereas carbon monoxide poisoning imposes a significant economic burden, costing
the United States more than $1,300,000,000 annually in hospital
expenses, emergency response, and lost productivity; and
Whereas public education, routine appliance maintenance, and the widespread
installation of certified carbon monoxide alarms are proven, cost-
effective methods for preventing carbon monoxide injuries and deaths:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the recognition ``Carbon Monoxide Action and
Awareness Month'';
(2) encourages Federal, State, and local agencies to
collaborate with public health organizations, safety advocates,
and first responders to expand awareness and prevention efforts
nationwide;
(3) urges all United States citizens to install and
maintain certified carbon monoxide alarms, to test them
regularly, and to learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of
carbon monoxide poisoning;
(4) supports continued public and private partnerships that
raise awareness of carbon monoxide hazards and promote healthy
home environments; and
(5) commends first responders, medical professionals, and
community educators for their ongoing commitment to saving
lives through carbon monoxide prevention and education.
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