{"id":263141,"date":"2026-09-15T15:00:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T15:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/15\/when-and-how-to-pack-a-carbon-monoxide-detector-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T15:00:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T15:00:17","slug":"when-and-how-to-pack-a-carbon-monoxide-detector-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/15\/when-and-how-to-pack-a-carbon-monoxide-detector-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"When and how to pack a carbon monoxide detector – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Staying safe and healthy<\/a><\/span> while traveling is key to making the most of your trip. Unfortunately, one health risk often falls below travelers’ radar: Carbon monoxide.<\/p>\n

This deadly gas can cause trouble both at home and abroad, and “very few people know about it,” says Chuck Heathco, founder of the John Wesley Heathco Legacy Foundation<\/a><\/span>, which works to raise awareness of the dangers of CO. The organization is named after Heathco’s son, who, along with his girlfriend, passed away from acute carbon monoxide poisoning in 2023 at a luxury resort in Mexico.<\/p>\n

Other families have suffered similar tragedies. In 2025, a 14-year-old boy died<\/a><\/span> from carbon monoxide poisoning in a Costa Rican resort, and three American tourists were killed<\/a><\/span> in a Belize hotel with a faulty water heater that same year.<\/p>\n

The good news: There’s a simple step you can take to mitigate your risk.<\/p>\n

Here’s everything you need to know about traveling with a carbon monoxide detector.<\/p>\n

Why you shouldn’t leave this off your packing list<\/h2>\n
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MASKOT\/GETTY IMAGES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Often described as a silent killer, carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can leach into indoor spaces from fuel-burning appliances like heaters, ovens, fireplaces and more.<\/p>\n

Because the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are easily confused with the flu or food poisoning, victims may not seek medical attention right away. And those who are affected while sleeping may not realize they have symptoms until it’s too late.<\/p>\n

The consequences can be serious, Heathco says \u2014 even if they aren’t fatal.<\/p>\n

“If you’re rushed to a hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning and you survive, there’s oftentimes damage done that’s irreparable.”<\/p>\n

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While travelers may assume hotels and resorts are monitoring for this unseen threat, regulations differ from state to state and country to country.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, you can ensure you’re protected by adding a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector to your packing list<\/a><\/span>. This small device can give you peace of mind while traveling and save your life in an emergency \u2014 and it takes up about as much space in your luggage as a smartphone.<\/p>\n

How to know if you need a carbon monoxide detector<\/h2>\n
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BOTANIKA OSA PENINSULA\/AQUA-ASTON HOSPITALITY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When should you pack a CO detector? The answer is: More often than you might think.<\/p>\n

Many countries outside the U.S. have limited (or no) requirements regarding detectors in hotels or vacation homes. Those that do may not enforce them. For instance, the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica notes<\/a><\/span> that most countries in Latin America “do not have widespread laws mandating carbon monoxide detectors.”<\/p>\n

Even at home, you might be surprised. According to Heathco, “only fourteen states have alarm mandates for hotels, VRBOs, etc. Thirty-six don’t.”<\/p>\n

And even if these detectors are present, there’s no guarantee they will work 100% of the time.<\/p>\n

Your best bet is to call your accommodation and ask if detectors are installed (in both rooms and public spaces) and if they are routinely tested and maintained. It’s also a good idea to research the hotel and the surrounding area for past carbon monoxide incidents.<\/p>\n

When in doubt, pack your own portable CO detector. Heathco recommends keeping it in a plastic bag in your suitcase so you’ll never forget it.<\/p>\n

“When you get home \u2026 leave it in the baggie, take the battery out and leave it in your suitcase. So you’ve already got it the next time.”<\/p>\n

Using and maintaining your CO detector<\/h2>\n
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Upon arrival at your hotel, set up your detector in your sleeping area, away from vents, windows, ovens or fireplaces. Contrary to popular belief, detectors do not need to be placed near the floor.<\/p>\n

According to First Alert<\/a><\/span>, “Although there is a myth that carbon monoxide is heavier than air, it’s actually slightly lighter than air and it diffuses throughout the room\/house evenly.”<\/p>\n

Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to keep your detector in good working order. This means testing it regularly, replacing the batteries as needed and replacing the detector itself at the end of its life (typically between 5 and 10 years). Many detectors will alert you when the batteries or the device itself need replacement.<\/p>\n

What to do in an emergency<\/h2>\n

If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, Heathco advises leaving the building immediately and alerting hotel management. You or hotel staff should call 911 (or the local emergency number) as well. It’s possible your room is not the only one affected, and other guests may be in danger. Acute exposure from a malfunctioning device could cause impairment within minutes, so it’s critical to act quickly.<\/p>\n

But carbon monoxide poisoning can strike outside of your room. It could happen in a restaurant, a hotel common space or even an open-air boat<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

In these scenarios, your best defense is to know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Remember the acronym HEADS UP, which stands for the following:<\/p>\n