WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Hoeven (R-ND), the leads of the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, are urging Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Acting Chairman Peter Feldman to address the heightened risks of home carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter months and provide information on how the CPSC is working to combat this deadly risk, including the education and outreach being done to encourage people to install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.

Klobuchar and Hoeven's bill was signed into law in 2022 and is named for two brothers from Kimball, Minnesota, who tragically died of carbon monoxide poisoning. The law established a grant program to fund initiatives to prevent similar tragedies in the future, which recently provided $200,000 to eight cities across Minnesota.

"We write to express our concerns about the increased risks of home carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter months, and to inquire into actions the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is taking to ensure that Americans are kept safe from carbon monoxide poisoning this winter," wrote the Senators. "More than 400 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized."

"These risks increase during the winter as people use heating systems, water heaters, and fireplaces that use natural gas," the Senators continued. "When used properly, these systems safely keep people warm during the coldest times of year, but improper use and faulty products put people at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning."

The full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Acting Chairman Feldman:

We write to express our concerns about the increased risks of home carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter months, and to inquire into actions the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is taking to ensure that Americans are kept safe from carbon monoxide poisoning this winter.

More than 400 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized. Infants, elderly people, and those with underlying health issues are most vulnerable. These risks increase during the winter as people use heating systems, water heaters, and fireplaces that use natural gas. When used properly, these systems safely keep people warm during the coldest times of year, but improper use and faulty products put people at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Just last month a couple in Garfield, Minnesota was airlifted for treatment after a carbon monoxide leak in their home. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, which is why it is so critical that Americans are made aware of the importance of having carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.

Our bill, the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, was signed into law in 2022. Named for two brothers from Kimball, Minnesota who tragically died of carbon monoxide poisoning, the law created a grant program to fund initiatives to prevent similar tragedies in the future. As you know, the law directs the CPSC to administer the grant program, which funds education and awareness campaigns about the need for carbon monoxide detectors, as well as the installation of these monitors.

We respectfully request that you respond to the following questions by December 19, 2025:

1. What steps is the CPSC taking to help prevent incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning at home?
2. What steps has the CPSC taken to ensure states are aware of and taking advantage of the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Grant Program? What challenges do you face in working with states?
3. What changes to the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Grant Program would increase the program's effectiveness?
4. What data has the CPSC collected on the number of carbon monoxide poisoning at-home incidents since the Grant Program went into effect?
5. Does the CPSC need additional resources to investigate the increase in carbon monoxide poisoning in the winter and take appropriate measures to help educate the population?

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We look forward to your response.

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Permalink: https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2025/12/klobuchar-and-hoeven-urge-the-cpsc-to-strengthen-protections-against-carbon-monoxide-poisoning