WASHINGTON – The House passed H.R. 1460, the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, which was introduced by Reps. Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) to create a new grant program to install carbon monoxide alarms in the homes of elderly and low-income individuals, as well as schools and other public facilities. The Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act also provides incentives for states to pass laws to require CO alarms.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced whenever fossil fuels are burned. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are over 400 deaths and 20,000 emergency room visits caused by carbon monoxide poisoning every year.

“Carbon monoxide poisoning continues to threaten families and individuals in New Hampshire and across the country, and Congress must do more to prevent further deaths from this invisible killer,” said Rep. Kuster. “By installing detectors in homes and public buildings, we can protect some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens from this deadly gas. I’m pleased the House has once again passed this commonsense, bipartisan legislation, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act quickly to help save lives.”

“I’m very glad to see our bill pass the House today,” said Rep. Carter. “This puts us another step closer to protecting Americans from carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning is devastating, but it’s also preventable. We have seen serious carbon monoxide poisoning incidents in the First District, and across the country. Congress should do everything we can to ensure citizens are able to protect themselves.”

“I am thrilled that the House has once again passed the Zachary and Nicholas Burt Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act and would like to thank Representative Kuster for her work on this bipartisan legislation,” said Paul J. Parisi, New Hampshire State Fire Marshal. “Unfortunately, here in New Hampshire we experience tragic, unintentional carbon monoxide deaths on an annual basis. This bill will help save lives by raising awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the benefits of installing CO alarms in schools and homes. I look forward to the Senate passing this bill and sending it to President Biden’s desk, and working with New Hampshire’s Congressional Delegation to bring this critical funding to New Hampshire.”

“Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and presents a special risk to our kids. Whether it’s in cold-weather states or those prone to hurricanes and other natural disasters, it’s important to provide states and localities with the life-saving resources they need to help parents protect their kids from this preventable tragedy,” said Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide. “That’s what Rep. Kuster’s bill will do and we thank her for her relentless effort to pass this bill into law.”

The Zachary and Nicholas Burt Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act is named after four-year-old Zachary and 16 month-old Nicholas Burt, who died of carbon monoxide poisoning when the furnace in their family’s home malfunctioned, releasing dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. The house was not equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm.

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