On March 21, Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner, was found dead in a hotel room on a family vacation in Costa Rica. A few days after the tragedy, the Judicial Investigation Agency ruled his death as carbon monoxide poisoning. The family had been staying at Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort, a 5-star property in the Puntarenas Province. On April 1, a spokesperson for the resort claimed the carbon monoxide levels in the family’s room were not present nor deadly.

The shocking death at such an upscale hotel has sparked fears among travelers: How do you know if your hotel room or vacation rental is safe from carbon monoxide?

Although rare, carbon monoxide poisoning at hotels and rentals does occur. This past January, several guests of Residence Inn by Marriott in Atlanta were hospitalized for possible carbon monoxide poisoning after a leak. Last May, more than 60 people were hospitalized after potentially suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning at Microtel Inn & Suites in Gassaway, West Virginia.

What exactly causes carbon monoxide hazards in resorts, hotels and other vacation properties? According to a study published by National Library of Medicine, incidents of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in hotels, motels and resorts can be traced to boilers, clothes dryers, swimming pool heaters, water heaters, furnaces, ovens and electrical generators. Carbon monoxide is predominately created from gas-powered (not electrical) appliances and objects using natural gas, propane and oil.

Unfortunately, just 14 states currently require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in hotels and motels. See here to find out each state’s legislations regarding carbon monoxide detectors.

If you’re in or visiting a state or country with little to no regulations on carbon monoxide monitoring, it’s important to be prepared and stay safe. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless but deadly, meaning it’s impossible to detect without a specific device. The gas can also travel through drywall easily, as well as through small holes and crevices.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include shortness of breath, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, fatigue, headaches, nausea or vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

You can purchase and bring portable carbon monoxide alarms with you on your trip, especially if the location you’re staying in is within an older building. Portable detectors range $30–100 and are small enough to easily pack in your luggage. You can find a wide range of detectors on Amazon.

It’s also important to look at the hotel or property’s list of amenities or ask the host directly to find out if the property already has a detector.

Have you experienced or known someone who has experienced carbon monoxide poisoning when traveling? Do you bring a detector with you on trips? Do you think all states should require hotels and motels to equip accommodations with detectors? Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.