Latest news with #MillerGardner
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Portable carbon monoxide monitor when traveling can keep you safe
HOUSTON - Several American tourists have died recently from carbon monoxide poisoning while staying in hotels and resorts abroad. That includes former Yankee Brett Gardner's son Miller Gardner, who died at a resort in Costa Rica, and three women who died in a Belize hotel room. One way to help protect yourself and your family while traveling is to take a portable carbon monoxide detector with you. RELATED: Spring Fire Department warns of fire, carbon monoxide dangers What we know We talked with Daniel Anderson, District Chief of the Cy-Fair Fire Department. He explained that carbon monoxide is called the "silent killer" because it is an odorless, colorless gas that can seep from appliances, such as gas stoves or hot water heaters, and can be deadly when breathed in. What you can do Anderson showed us an example of a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector. He says look for the "UL" symbol on the package because it indicates its been tested by United Laboratories, an independent, third-party testing firm. He says the monitors usually run $20 to $40 dollars, and should be placed according to the directions. He says that's usually three to five feet off the floor, and that they can usually be set on a table by the bed. He says there should be a detector in each bedroom where people are sleeping. Get news, weather and so much more on the new FOX LOCAL app Be sure to test that it's working both before the trip and again when you arrive. Airbnb and Vrbo encourage their hosts to have CO monitors in rental units, and even offer free detectors to some hosts, but they are not required. A 2018 Time Magazine report found only 58% of Airbnb rentals had CO monitors. The Source Information in this article is from the Cy-Fair Fire Department and Time Magazine.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Travelers encouraged to protect themselves from carbon monoxide following recent tragedies
It's an invisible danger you probably aren't thinking about when you're headed on vacation. The threat of carbon monoxide has been linked to several recent tragedies involving travelers. 14-year-old Miller Gardner, son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner, died on a family vacation at a Costa Rica beach resort back in March. His death happened one month after three young women from Revere were discovered dead in their Belize hotel room. Authorities said carbon monoxide poisoning caused the deaths in both cases. 'It's not something that we normally see or talk about which is why it's easy to lose track of it,' said Charon McNabb, President of the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association. McNabb has made it her mission to educate travelers on the steps they can take to protect themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning. 'Call ahead, and ask the management, is it possible to have a carbon monoxide alarm? When was the last time the alarm was checked?,' she advised. McNabb also recommends avoiding stay near the hotel's pool where equipment is often a hotspot for CO leaks. 'If you have small kids I know it's really enticing to have a room next to the pool, but it could be quite dangerous,' she explained. Rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO often indicate whether rentals have carbon monoxide alarms installed. McNabb said even if your accommodation has a carbon monoxide detector, it won't matter if it isn't tested regularly and replaced every few years. 'Carbon monoxide alarms have a 5-to-10-year shelf life. It's very difficult to tell from the front of an alarm how long into the aging process that alarm might be,' said McNabb. Safe Kids Worldwide suggests families bring a portable carbon monoxide alarm on vacation especially if the location is an older building. If a carbon monoxide is already present, the organization suggests testing it out. Boston 25 News found portable CO detectors with good reviews for under $50 on Amazon. It's important make sure the device you select is certified as meeting standards set by UL Standards & Engagement. 'People can protect themselves by bringing these small devices with them particularly if you have families. Small children and pets are affected as well,' said Dr. Barbarajean Magnani, Professor of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Emerita at Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Magnani said carbon monoxide can suffocate victims before they know it's too late. 'The problem with carbon monoxide, it's a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, so people are unaware if there's a problem, if there's a leak,' she said. Carbon is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the U.S. Symptoms may include: Headache Dizziness Nausea Vomiting Weakness Chest pain Confusion According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 400 Americans die each year 'from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires.' Data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System shows firefighters responded to more than 4,000 carbon monoxide incidents at hotels, motels, and resorts between 1999 and 2020. More than 1,000 people have been hurt and at least two dozen have died. The National Conference of State Legislatures says the requirements for carbon monoxide detectors in homes and hotels differ by state. Not all U.S. states require properties to install CO detectors. In 2005, Massachusetts passed 'Nicole's Law' which requires that carbon monoxide detectors be installed in all residences that have any source of carbon monoxide. 'It's important for our government officials to recognize the gap in the safety net and try to close that up for our travelers,' added McNabb. McNabb is working with lawmakers to advocate for 'Safe Stay Act' which will be introduced in June. The federal bill would require all hotels and motels nationwide to install compliant carbon monoxide detectors and provide written notice of compliance to guests during check-in. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Miller Gardner, son of Yankees star, died of carbon monoxide poisoning: Officials
Miller Gardner, son of Yankees star, died of carbon monoxide poisoning: Officials Show Caption Hide Caption New details in death of Brett Gardner's son Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner, may have died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, authorities in Costa Rica announced on Monday. Fox - 5 NY Miller Gardner, the teenage son of New York Yankees alum Brett Gardner, died from carbon monoxide poisoning, Costa Rica officials confirmed. A new toxicology report found the 14-year-old South Carolina boy's body had carboxyhemoglobin level of 64%, which is 14% above what is considered lethal, the nation's Judicial Investigation Agency said Wednesday. Costa Rican officials initially suggested that Miller died from asphyxia, when the body does not receive enough oxygen, after a possible intoxication tied to food. But asphyxiation was ruled out after "no macro-level abnormalities were observed in the respiratory tract upon inspection of the body," Juan Pablo Alvarado García, an official with the investigative agency, told USA TODAY on Tuesday. Miller's body was found in a hotel room in Costa Rica while on vacation, according to NBC News and CNN. Former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner and wife Jessica Gardner shared the tragic news of their son's death on Sunday through the baseball team's social media pages. 'We have so many questions and so few answers at this point, but we do know that he passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Friday, March 21st,' they wrote. USA TODAY reached out to the Judicial Investigation Agency on Thursday for more information. What is carboxyhemoglobin? Carboxyhemoglobin is a complex that forms when red blood cells are exposed to carbon monoxide, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Carboxyhemoglobin saturation levels above 50% are considered lethal, according to the center. Toxicity levels of 10% to 30% may also be lethal in patients with underlying ischemic cardiomyopathy. Who was Miller Gardner? Miller is the son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner. He is also survived by his mother Jessica and older brother Hunter, 16. Gardner played 14 seasons in the MLB, including on the New York Yankees' 2009 championship team, was named an All-Star in 2015, and won an American League Gold Glove in 2016 before retiring in 2021. Miller's parents said their son also loved baseball, as well as football, golf, hunting, fishing, and his loved ones. They added in their statement they are struggling to come to terms with life without the teenager and his "infectious smile." "He lived life to the fullest every single day," his family wrote. The family encouraged the public to make donations to Make-A-Wish Foundation, the non-profit that grants wishes for sick children. Where was Miller Gardner staying in Costa Rica? Miller Gardner was vacationing in Manuel Antonio, a resort area on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, when he and other family members got sick, CNN and NBC News reported. The Gardner family went out to dinner at a restaurant near the resort the night before his death when they began feeling sick and returned to the hotel, according to ABC News. Contributing: James H. Williams, Julia Gomez and Saleen Martin
CNN
04-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
Carbon monoxide poisoning has been tied to several traveler deaths. Here's how to stay safe on your trips
Carbon monoxide, often called the 'silent killer,' has no taste, odor or color, yet prolonged inhalation of the invisible gas has been tied to the recent deaths of several American tourists traveling abroad. In March, 14-year-old Miller Gardner, son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner, died on a family vacation at a Costa Rica beach resort. A month prior, three American women were discovered dead in their Belize hotel room. In both cases, authorities have said carbon monoxide poisoning caused the deaths. While many homes in the U.S. are equipped with alarms that detect the presence of the dangerous gas, travelers may need to take extra precautions to limit their exposure on the road. Carbon monoxide is produced when natural gas is burned in appliances like boilers, pool heaters, gas stoves, fireplaces and dryers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 'Every carbon monoxide producing appliance is designed to take those toxic fuels out of the building,' said Charon McNabb, founder of the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Foundation. Without regular maintenance, McNabb said venting systems can corrode or shift, creating leak pathways for carbon monoxide to remain trapped indoors. The gas is then capable of traveling into nearby rooms through drywall, doors and air ducts. A buildup of carbon monoxide in the air can diminish your ability to absorb oxygen, resulting in serious or fatal tissue damage to the brain, heart and muscles. According to a 2019 study published in the journal Preventive Medicine Reports, 905 U.S. lodging guests were poisoned by carbon monoxide from 2005 to 2018, resulting in 22 deaths. In the U.S., requirements for carbon monoxide detectors in homes and hotels differ by state, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. While vacation rental platforms like VRBO and Airbnb only require listed units to meet local regulations, owners can indicate whether a carbon monoxide alarm is present on the property within their listings. McNabb advises travelers booking accommodations to call ahead of their stay to check for the presence of detectors in each guest room and ask about the location of their room within the building. 'Travelers may want to stay away from (rooms next to) pools and pool heaters because typically, the chemicals for the pools are kept in the mechanical room where the heater is stored, and those chemicals can corrode the metal much quicker, creating leak paths,' McNabb said, adding that rooms on higher floors can also provide a safer distance from gas-powered yard equipment. 'If you're not totally confident in the answers you get, play it safe and bring your own (carbon monoxide) alarm,' McNabb said. Portable alarms are battery or outlet powered, pocket-sized devices capable of monitoring CO levels and alerting the user of unsafe levels. TSA permits travelling with carbon monoxide alarms, but lithium batteries should be taken out of the device and placed in carry-on luggage. Kos Galatsis, CEO of Forensics Detectors, which sells air quality monitoring devices, suggests travelers keep the alarm by their bedside, as many poisonings occur while stationary or sleeping. Prices for portable CO alarms online range drastically, but the most important feature to look out for is a UL 2034 certification, which designates the device is in line with national product safety standards. Campers should avoid using portable gas stoves, gas-powered lanterns, power generators and flameless chemical heaters inside of tents, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This is especially important when camping in high altitudes, where the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is increased. Tents should also be pitched away from idling vehicles and campfire, according to the CPSC. Initial symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure can easily be mistaken for the flu, jet lag or stomach bugs. Signs of poisoning, according to Mayo Clinic, include: - Dull headache - Weakness - Dizziness - Nausea or vomiting - Shortness of breath - Confusion - Blurred vision - Loss of consciousness High levels of exposure can cause symptoms such as mental confusion and loss of muscle control to develop more rapidly. If you or fellow travelers experience any of these symptoms, seek fresh air and medical advice immediately.
CNN
03-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
Carbon monoxide poisoning has been tied to several traveler deaths. Here's how to stay safe on your trips
Carbon monoxide, often called the 'silent killer,' has no taste, odor or color, yet prolonged inhalation of the invisible gas has been tied to the recent deaths of several American tourists traveling abroad. In March, 14-year-old Miller Gardner, son of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner, died on a family vacation at a Costa Rica beach resort. A month prior, three American women were discovered dead in their Belize hotel room. In both cases, authorities have said carbon monoxide poisoning caused the deaths. While many homes in the U.S. are equipped with alarms that detect the presence of the dangerous gas, travelers may need to take extra precautions to limit their exposure on the road. Carbon monoxide is produced when natural gas is burned in appliances like boilers, pool heaters, gas stoves, fireplaces and dryers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 'Every carbon monoxide producing appliance is designed to take those toxic fuels out of the building,' said Charon McNabb, founder of the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Foundation. Without regular maintenance, McNabb said venting systems can corrode or shift, creating leak pathways for carbon monoxide to remain trapped indoors. The gas is then capable of traveling into nearby rooms through drywall, doors and air ducts. A buildup of carbon monoxide in the air can diminish your ability to absorb oxygen, resulting in serious or fatal tissue damage to the brain, heart and muscles. According to a 2019 study published in the journal Preventive Medicine Reports, 905 U.S. lodging guests were poisoned by carbon monoxide from 2005 to 2018, resulting in 22 deaths. In the U.S., requirements for carbon monoxide detectors in homes and hotels differ by state, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. While vacation rental platforms like VRBO and Airbnb only require listed units to meet local regulations, owners can indicate whether a carbon monoxide alarm is present on the property within their listings. McNabb advises travelers booking accommodations to call ahead of their stay to check for the presence of detectors in each guest room and ask about the location of their room within the building. 'Travelers may want to stay away from (rooms next to) pools and pool heaters because typically, the chemicals for the pools are kept in the mechanical room where the heater is stored, and those chemicals can corrode the metal much quicker, creating leak paths,' McNabb said, adding that rooms on higher floors can also provide a safer distance from gas-powered yard equipment. 'If you're not totally confident in the answers you get, play it safe and bring your own (carbon monoxide) alarm,' McNabb said. Portable alarms are battery or outlet powered, pocket-sized devices capable of monitoring CO levels and alerting the user of unsafe levels. TSA permits travelling with carbon monoxide alarms, but lithium batteries should be taken out of the device and placed in carry-on luggage. Kos Galatsis, CEO of Forensics Detectors, which sells air quality monitoring devices, suggests travelers keep the alarm by their bedside, as many poisonings occur while stationary or sleeping. Prices for portable CO alarms online range drastically, but the most important feature to look out for is a UL 2034 certification, which designates the device is in line with national product safety standards. Campers should avoid using portable gas stoves, gas-powered lanterns, power generators and flameless chemical heaters inside of tents, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This is especially important when camping in high altitudes, where the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is increased. Tents should also be pitched away from idling vehicles and campfire, according to the CPSC. Initial symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure can easily be mistaken for the flu, jet lag or stomach bugs. Signs of poisoning, according to Mayo Clinic, include: - Dull headache - Weakness - Dizziness - Nausea or vomiting - Shortness of breath - Confusion - Blurred vision - Loss of consciousness High levels of exposure can cause symptoms such as mental confusion and loss of muscle control to develop more rapidly. If you or fellow travelers experience any of these symptoms, seek fresh air and medical advice immediately.
