NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. – An elderly couple and their dog found dead in their Neptune Beach home last October were victims of carbon monoxide poisoning after failing to fully shut off their push-to-start vehicle, News4JAX confirmed on Monday.
Janet George and Mark Stewart, along with their pet, were discovered in their North Street residence. News4JAX learned the carbon monoxide poisoning came from their vehicle, which was an older model lacking automatic shutoff features.
Recommended Videos
“The road was blocked off with the tape for a long, long time,” said Bob Strachan, a neighbor who described the incident as “very sad.” He mentioned that carbon monoxide poisoning had been suspected by residents in the area.
Silent Killer Warning
Michael McCormick from Florida Poison Control warned that carbon monoxide is known as the “silent killer,” with modern vehicles posing particular risks.
“As these cars get to be more and more quiet, this is a danger and we do see stories like this,” McCormick said.
Vacation Property and Hotel Safety
McCormick strongly advised travelers to be vigilant about carbon monoxide detection when staying away from home.
“We really suggest that you check with any sort of vacation property that you are renting to make sure it has a carbon monoxide detector and make sure it’s working when you get there,” he said.
He recommended travelers carry their own portable detectors, which cost around $20-30.
“People think I’m crazy, but I do travel with one now because it’s not just the Airbnbs, we’ve seen it at hotels,” McCormick explained. He noted that risks can come from unexpected sources, such as pool equipment or mechanical rooms.
Proper Detector Placement and Warning Signs
Unlike smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors should be placed at chest or waist level, particularly near bedrooms. “The people at most risk are when you are sleeping,” McCormick warned.
Key warning signs of carbon monoxide exposure include:
- Flu-like symptoms (without fever)
- Mental confusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
“First thing you need to do is get out to fresh air,” McCormick emphasized.
Home Safety Tips
Florida Poison Control emphasized several safety measures to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Ensure proper ventilation for gas appliances, including stoves, water heaters, and dryers
- Keep charcoal grills at least 20 feet away from houses
- Install carbon monoxide detectors at proper height levels
- When renting or staying in vacation properties, verify carbon monoxide detector presence
- Consider purchasing portable carbon monoxide detectors for travel
- Stay at least 20 feet away from running equipment that could produce fumes
“The problem that we run into is a lot of times, maybe somebody’s doing something right outside their house, but it’s close,” McCormick explained. “We always say you need to be 20 feet away because those fumes have an unbelievable way to sneak back into your house.”