CHARLESTON -
A tragedy has brought together a task force in hopes of preventing another incident. Tuesday a Rhode Island man died at the Holiday Inn Express in South Charleston from carbon monoxide poisoning. Emergency crews found the source was a heating unit in the pool area. Now the group wants to get carbon monoxide detectors in public buildings.
"Whether it's the hotels, motels, bead and breakfasts, hospitals, nursing homes, adult day care centers, child day care centers, those are all important and priority," said Kanawha-Charleston Health Department director Dr. Rahul Gupta who also chairs the task force.
While also important, some commercial properties and business could be taking a back seat.
"It seems to be the most practical to first look at those in sleeping environments," said Captain Ken Tyree of the Charleston Fire Department.
The task force believes educating the public on the benefits of carbon monoxide detectors is vital.
"I think it can be required legally, but I think more important is how do we protect the public in a manner that is efficient, comprehensive and hopefully voluntary. It's very important that people know it's the right thing to do," said Gupta.
The task force hopes to make a recommendation to county leaders for a possible ordinance and then take that recommendation to the state legislature.
The next meeting of the task force is Tuesday. One goal is to get building officials in other Kanawha County cities involved in the group as well.
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