CO Detector Requirement Bill Named After Two Brothers From Kimball Heads to President Biden’s Desk for Signature

(KNSI) — A bill named after two brothers from Kimball who died of carbon monoxide poisoning is on its way to the president’s desk to become law.

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced the bipartisan Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act, which encourages tougher standards for carbon monoxide detectors. Co-sponsored by North Dakota Senator John Hoeven, the bill directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to ensure carbon monoxide detectors are safe and reliable. In addition to encouraging states to require residential CO detection devices, the bill would authorize the CPSC to establish a federal grant program to help states, local governments, and tribes carry out CO education programs and install alarms.

The Burt family nearly all died in January of 1996 after the furnace leaked the colorless, odorless gas throughout their home. The father, Todd, woke up dizzy and disoriented after a call from his boss because he hadn’t shown up for work. As he searched the house, he found his wife, Cheryl, lifeless on the floor in the bathroom, the oldest son; five-year-old Ryan, was clinging to life. Four-year-old Nicholas and 16-month-old Zachary had died in their sleep.

Not every state has similar requirements, but Minnesota has a law on the books, enacted in 2007, requiring carbon monoxide detectors in buildings. Cheryl Burt testified in front of a Senate committee in 2009 to get tougher laws surrounding CO detector requirements.

The Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act is now on its way to the president’s desk for his signature.

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