Faces of Carbon Monoxide: No Life Guard on Duty — Four Hospitalized by CO Poisoning in Hotel Pool Area

Four individuals required immediate medical attention at a Rochester Minnesota hotel on November 4, 2023, when a swimming pool heater began emitting carbon monoxide into the hotel’s pool area. Three-year-old Rosalind Tipton was among those seriously affected. 

“She was unresponsive, and her lips were white,” said Rosalind’s mother, Jordyn.

“Rosalind is probably as close to death as anybody I’ve ever represented,” said Gordon Johnson, the Tipton’s attorney.

Emergency responders from the Rochester Fire Department were called when guests reported feeling lethargic after swimming; prior to their arrival, another guest — Cindy Clement, a licensed practical nurse — administered CPR on Rosalind.

"I couldn't feel a pulse at all, so I started CPR on her and she came back after less than a minute. But she still wouldn't wake up, she'd open her eyes and pass right out again," Clement said. 

The building was evacuated and RFD investigated the pool area with carbon monoxide monitors, finding highly elevated CO levels in the area. Thanks to the quick actions of Clement and RFD, Rosalind and the other three affected guests survived. 

The incident, however, could have been prevented had a carbon monoxide detector been installed in the pool area.

Why wasn’t the CO leak detected sooner?

According to Minnesota state law at the time of the incident, all new buildings considered to be dwellings were only required to have carbon monoxide detectors installed within ten feet of sleeping areas. Despite the presence of a CO-producing heater, CO detectors were not required in the pool area, and were therefore not installed.

The incident is one of many caused by an inconsistent patchwork of requirements and codes across states in the U.S., which has led nearly half of Americans to falsely believe they are protected in public places.  According to a 2024 report by UL Standards & Engagement, 46% of travelers do not worry about CO exposure when staying in hotels and rental properties because they assume CO alarms are installed, and another 44% say they believe every state has laws that require alarms. 

How can travelers stay protected?

Travelers can pack portable carbon monoxide alarms to stay safe in locations where CO detectors are not required. ULSE has published standards like UL 2034, Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms, to ensure that these alarms will detect potentially unsafe CO levels and alert occupants as intended — before CO levels reach a point at which people can lose the ability to react.

 In August 2023, UL 2034 was updated to expand coverage to non-dwelling units such as motels, restaurants, and other indoor locations that do not have more sophisticated detection systems installed.

Learn more

UL Standards & Engagement continues to advance its work to prevent CO poisonings through its standards. Learn more about our efforts. 

To read more about this incident, read Family speaks out after La Quinta carbon monoxide incident on KTTC.com.