KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In a tragic incident over the weekend, three people lost their lives due to a carbon monoxide leak in a home near Fuller Avenue and 10th Street. Additionally, one man remains in critical condition as a result of the leak. The Kansas City Fire and Rescue attributed the leak to a generator being used inside the home.
The affected neighborhood is predominantly Spanish-speaking, prompting the fire department to take extra measures to ensure the Hispanic population is properly informed about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Fire Chief Michael Hopkins emphasized the importance of reaching out to the Spanish-speaking community to prevent further tragedies.
To address the communication gap, the fire department plans to distribute pamphlets and handouts to churches, schools, and organizations in the area. They also intend to collaborate with Spanish radio stations and conduct interviews and public safety announcements with their Spanish-speaking members. Andrea Garcia, a member of the Mattie Rhodes Center, which advocates for the Hispanic community, stressed the need to provide information in a non-pushy but accessible manner in order to effectively reach this population.
Garcia suggested starting with providing basic information about carbon monoxide and its dangers, as well as making carbon monoxide detectors more accessible to those who may not be aware of where to obtain them. She also highlighted the opportunity to educate the community during events and giveaways, where people are more likely to be present.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of carbon monoxide safety. Those in need of a CO detector can reach out to healthy.homes@kcmo.org for assistance. It is essential for the community to come together to ensure that everyone is educated about the dangers of carbon monoxide and equipped with the necessary resources to prevent any further tragedies.