One small purchase for peace of mind.
Travel comes with great reward, and also risk. Some threats are a minor nuisance—a painful sunburn, a canceled flight—while others are serious, even deadly.
In March of 2025, Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, died in Costa Rica while vacationing with his family. Authorities say carbon monoxide poisoning was responsible.
A month earlier, three American women died of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in their hotel room in Belize. And according to a report by NBC News, since 2013, 19 people have died as a result of alleged carbon monoxide poisoning while staying in Airbnb vacation rentals abroad.
“Over the past several years, we’ve seen far too many heartbreaking stories in the headlines – families falling ill, and in some tragic cases, losing their lives while staying in hotels, vacation rentals, or other temporary accommodations,” said Isis Wu, president of the fire safety company, Kidde. “Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is often to blame, and it’s called the invisible or silent killer for good reason. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, but it can strike anyone, anywhere, without warning.”
What Is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can be emitted from gas and oil-burning furnaces, portable generators, and grills, causing symptoms like headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pain, confusion, flu-like illness, and even death. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates over 400 Americans die annually from unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and more than 100,000 people go to the emergency room as a result.
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In the U.S., 48 states require carbon monoxide detectors in residences, but in hotels and motels, more specifically, only 14 U.S. states mandate them. Globally, regulations vary widely by country.
“While most people think about CO safety at home, the truth is that travelers face heightened risks in hotels, motels, and vacation rentals where regulations on CO alarms are inconsistent,” said Wu. “Simply put: don’t assume safety standards are the same everywhere.”
What to Know About Carbon Monoxide While Traveling
A 2021 study by Preventive Medicine Reports found that between the years of 1999 and 2018, over 3,400 incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning took place in hotels and motels in the United States. However, since no national mandated reporting system exists, those figures could be far higher. The report also only accounts for commercial hotels and motels.
As for vacation rentals, in a statement to Fodor’s, a spokesperson for Airbnb said, “Carbon monoxide incidents at properties listed on Airbnb are extremely rare worldwide, and we take CO safety very seriously. We urge all hosts to install smoke and CO alarms in spaces that use fuel-burning appliances and run an industry-leading initiative that has given away over 280,000 free combined smoke and CO detectors to our hosts. And if one isn’t mentioned, we notify and encourage guests to bring their own.”
But while the chance of poisoning is unlikely, it’s not zero.
“Incidents are rare but not unheard of,” said Neil Jacobs, founder of Wild Origins, an advisory company working with hospitality clients, and the former CEO of Six Senses Hotels and Resorts. “The overall risk is low, but awareness and simple precautions add peace of mind.”
How to Pick a Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector
Experts agree, the best way to remove doubt and avoid tragedy safely is to pack a portable carbon monoxide detector—even if lodgings have one in place.
“Carbon monoxide has been blamed for several traveler deaths in the last few years,” said John Gobbels, COO of Medjet, a global air medical transport service aiding travelers experiencing a medical crisis. “Having equipment to detect it could be life-saving. I travel with a small portable one, especially if I’m traveling with my kids.”
Travel-friendly carbon monoxide detectors from reputable brands like Kidde or First Alert range in price from around $20 to $30 on Amazon, and experts suggest opting for a battery-operated or battery-backup alarm. That way, you won’t lose coverage in the event of an unexpected power outage. They also encourage consumers to remove the batteries while in transit, and to test the device upon arrival to ensure it works properly.
“Portable detectors provide an extra safeguard anywhere in the world,” Jacobs said, noting that the best portable detectors also have a loud alarm, digital display, peak level memory, battery backup, long sensor life, and an end-of-life warning.
Finally, before making any purchase, make sure the monitor is designed in accordance with UL standards. “The device should meet UL safety standards and be easy to test. Avoid older or non-certified devices that don’t meet recognized standards,” Wu said.
Safety Tips
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends placing carbon monoxide alarms on every floor and inside each bedroom . That guidance extends to travel spaces as well.
“One is enough for a standard room; larger suites or villas may need more,” Jacobs said.
Gobbels also points to potential high-risk locations as strategic placement areas.
“Water heaters and furnaces are prime leak points, so place the detector near the room that contains those items,” he said. “Carbon monoxide is lighter than air and rises when warm, so place the detector on a wall about five feet above the floor. That’s usually about eye level. Wherever you place it, make sure the alarm can be heard from sleeping areas and is loud enough to wake you up.”
Should the monitor sound an alarm, exit the area and request help right away.
“Never try to tough it out indoors,” Wu warned. “Carbon monoxide is called the invisible killer for a reason. By the time symptoms hit, your body and/or mind may already be impaired.”
And remember, carbon monoxide poisoning doesn’t distinguish between lodging types, whether it’s a bare bones cabin or an opulent five-star retreat.
“Even luxury hotels and well-known resorts have experienced serious CO-related incidents,” Wu said. “The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning does not discriminate.”
