Carbon monoxide exposure in campus vehicles has injured and killed students nationwide. Learn how CO builds up in cars, buses, and vans, and how campuses and students can prevent it.

Carbon monoxide in college housing has injured and killed students across the U.S.—often in dorms, fraternity houses, and off-campus apartments where detection and training are inconsistent. Drawing from national incident data and real campus tragedies, this article explores why CO safety varies by state, why building codes treat student spaces differently, and why many students are being told to protect themselves with personal CO alarms.

Carbon monoxide (CO) detection rules are inconsistent across schools, daycares, churches, camps, and athletic facilities. Buildings aren’t regulated by who uses them — they’re regulated by how the code classifies them. And that classification, called an occupancy type, determines whether CO detection is required, optional, or never mentioned at all. The problem? Most parents, teachers, and even administrators have no idea which occupancy type their building falls under.

It's time to set the record straight: Carbon monoxide is not a “gas leak.” It is a toxic gas exposure. And using the wrong language confuses the public, delays understanding, and prevents families from knowing what actually happened, or how to protect their children in the future. This imprecise reporting isn’t a small issue. It undermines awareness, downplays risk, and allows preventable CO incidents to keep happening.

If you’re responsible for a school, childcare center, campus facility, or any public building, you may have been told some version of: “Don’t worry; we have CO detectors installed.” But here’s the problem: Most buildings rely on carbon monoxide devices that weren’t designed for educational or multi-room environments. And many assume all CO detection devices work the same; they don’t.

"Why Don't All Schools Have Carbon Monoxide Detection?" Tune in for the answer.

The model building codes used in the U.S. are updated every three years, but not often regularly adopted by states, leaving tremendous gaps in safety.

A look at Boston Public Schools Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) dashboard, released in 2022.

Another carbon monoxide poisoning incident in a school – this time catching national media's attention because of the events that...

One of the most frequently asked questions I get here at CO Safe Schools, particularly after a carbon monoxide incident on campus...

Nikki sheds some real talk on CO and CO2.

Inconsistent and outdated language around carbon monoxide detection will lead to injuries. And already has.