Kidde Launches "Destination Safety" to Empower Travelers with Safety Tools Amid Rising Concerns Over Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risks

As summer travel peaks, the brand is doubling down on advocacy efforts urging individuals to take precautions with travel safety

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent, odorless killer that strikes without warning - even while traveling. With inconsistent regulations putting the onus on individuals, Kidde, North America's #1 fire safety brand¹, is helping travelers stay safe with Destination Safety, a new education-first initiative designed to empower travelers to better protect themselves from the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. As part of the program, starting today travelers can access the Travel Safety Checklist to help protect themselves and their families.

This effort follows a series of recent travel-related CO tragedies highlighting the critical need for increased awareness and proactive measures, especially with the busy summer travel season underway. CO poisonings are increasing in the US and are responsible for over 100,000 emergency room visits, 14,000 hospitalizations, and over 400 deaths each year in the US – though the actual number of CO poisonings is likely significantly higher than estimated due to the imperceptible nature of CO, the wide array of CO poisoning symptoms, and a lack of robust diagnostic tools.²

When it comes to travel-related incidents, firefighters report having responded to more than 4,000 carbon monoxide emergencies at hotels, motels and resorts between 1999 and 2020, claiming the lives of at least two dozen people and injuring more than 1,000.³

"Travelers have lots to consider when preparing for a trip, and we are urging them to prioritize carbon monoxide safety both at home and away," said Isis Wu, Kidde President, Residential Fire & Safety. "Helping keep people safe is at the core of what Kidde stands for, and with no federal law mandating CO alarms in every hotel or in every vacation rental bedroom, it’s essential for individuals to take control of their safety and the devices that can help save lives.”

Only 14 states in the U.S. currently require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in hotels and motels, leaving many travelers vulnerable⁴. While some take routine measures to help protect their homes while they are away, many do not consider the same safety risks at their destination. The new Travel Safety Checklist helps prepare travelers by encouraging them to:

1. Test at-home smoke and CO alarms before traveling to ensure they’re working properly
2. Pack a AA-battery operated CO alarm for use in your travel destination such as a double-AA battery operated CO alarm with a digital display⁵
3. Check to make sure smoke and CO alarms are present and functioning in vacation properties

In addition to providing educational resources and advocating for stronger safety regulations, Kidde will be donating CO alarms to communities where CO regulations are not yet in place. These efforts aim to raise awareness, increase access to lifesaving fire and carbon monoxide products, and help safeguard vulnerable communities.

To learn more about Kidde’s fire & CO safety resources or to download theTravel Safety Checklist, visit Kidde.com/safety-hub and follow Kidde on social media.

^{¹᩵Based on total household installations as of December 2023.
²U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association 
³National Fire Incident Reporting System
⁴Electrical Contractor, EC Magazine
⁵Not approved for RV or boat use}