KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A man is in critical condition following a carbon monoxide leak over the weekend that resulted in the deaths of three others. The incident occurred inside a home near Fuller Avenue and 10th Street on Saturday, where a generator being used caused the leak, according to Kansas City Fire and Rescue.
The neighborhood affected by the tragedy is predominantly Spanish-speaking, prompting officials to take extra measures to ensure that the Hispanic population is properly informed and educated on the dangers of carbon monoxide. “When you have one incident it’s a tragedy, when you have two, then it’s a trend,” said Michael Hopkins, Fire Chief, emphasizing the need to prevent further incidents.
In an effort to reach the Spanish-speaking population, KCFD plans to distribute pamphlets and handouts to churches, schools, and organizations in the area, as well as collaborate with Spanish radio stations to disseminate information on carbon monoxide detectors and generator safety. Additionally, they will conduct interviews and public safety announcements with Spanish-speaking members to better connect with the community.
The importance of providing information in a non-pushy yet accessible manner is highlighted by Andrea Garcia, who works for an organization dedicated to serving the Hispanic community in the area. She emphasizes the need for community engagement activities to effectively communicate safety information, such as giving away carbon monoxide detectors to those who may not have access to them.
Garcia also stresses the importance of educating residents on the basics of carbon monoxide and its dangers, recognizing that not everyone may have been exposed to this information in the past. To address the issue of accessibility to carbon monoxide detectors, she suggests providing information on where to obtain them, acknowledging that not everyone may know where to purchase such devices.
In conclusion, the Kansas City community is taking proactive measures to prevent further tragedies related to carbon monoxide poisoning, especially within its Spanish-speaking population. Efforts to educate and provide resources to the community are underway, with the aim of raising awareness and ensuring the safety of all residents. If individuals are in need of a CO detector, they are encouraged to reach out via email to healthy.homes@kcmo.org.