The Wirecutter Show

Episode: This Travel Device Could Save Your Life

Release Date: September 26, 2025
Host: Christine Cyr Clisset
Guest: Maria Ottleman (Wirecutter Travel Writer)
Producer: Rosie Guerin

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the real but often overlooked risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning when traveling—and how carrying a portable CO detector could quite literally be a lifesaver. Host Christine and guest Maria unpack why CO is more of a travel hazard than most of us realize, what the true risks are, and offer practical advice on protecting yourself and your loved ones. The conversation is grounded in expert research and personal stories, with actionable recommendations and Wirecutter-tested product picks.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Why CO Poisoning Deserves Your Attention (04:54)

• Personal Stories: Rosie shares her long-standing anxiety about CO and how a passing comment from Christine about travel detectors “unlocked a new fear.”
• Christine recounts a traumatic near-miss:

  “Several years ago a family of four died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a condo complex where I had actually just stayed a couple months before with my family of four.” (04:34)

• Important context: Most people are attentive about detectors at home, but few think to bring protection when traveling, even though incidents can and do happen.

The Real Risk of CO Poisoning (06:06)

• Comparative Risk: Maria explains CO poisoning is uncommon compared to car accidents, but “much more common than something like a shark bite” (06:06).
  • At least 430 deaths and 14,000 hospitalizations occur in the U.S. each year from unintentional, non-fire-related CO incidents.
  • Many hospitalizations result in long-term neurological damage—not just fatalities.
  • Many cases go untracked, particularly in short-term lodgings (like Airbnbs), as there is “no national tracking of deaths or poisoning in lodging.”
• Studies underestimate the threat:
  • Only 14 states mandate CO detectors in hotels/lodgings, and many laws are partial.
  • Vacation rentals (e.g., Airbnb) often do not require detectors; enforcement is spotty.

How CO Poisoning Happens & Recognizing the Danger (08:23)

• CO replaces oxygen in the blood, and is “colorless, odorless, tasteless… basically invisible to you.” (08:31)
• Symptoms mimic common illnesses—headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea—similar to the flu, food poisoning, or even a hangover (08:31).
• Maria shares a haunting quote from an interview subject:

  “If you have a headache, you’re not going to call the fire department. And if you think you have the flu, you’re probably just going to stay in your hotel room.” (09:07)

• Staying put if poisoned is “the least helpful thing you could do”—confusion increases, making escape less likely.

What To Do If You Suspect CO Exposure (10:10)

• “The bottom line is fresh air. So get to fresh air, leave the house or the hotel, whatever, and get outside.” (10:10)
• Call 911, seek medical help, and never re-enter until officials have cleared the premises.
• If escape isn’t possible, open windows, ventilate, turn off the suspected source if safe.

Why Detectors Aren’t Required Everywhere (11:00)

• Only 14 states and various localities require detectors in lodgings, often only in new builds or select rooms.
• Airbnb: Detectors are “encouraged” but not required. The app lets you filter by presence of CO detector, but “the reality may be different than the listing.” (11:00)

What Lodgings & Appliances Pose Highest Risk? (12:31)

• Data is sparse, but older buildings and outdated detectors are riskier.
• Common sources in hotels: pool heaters, boilers, faulty ventilation, gas appliances, running vehicles in garages.
• Portable generators are a top culprit, causing 70–100 deaths/year. “These have to be used outside… like 20ft from the windows and doors.” (13:26)

Wirecutter’s Portable CO Detector Recommendation (14:56)

• Any at-home plug-in detector could work, but battery-operated models are best for travel.
• Top pick: First Alert CO710
  • Battery-operated, lasts 10 years, about the size of two iPhones, “very small, weighs less than half a pound.” (14:56)
  • Third-party tested; First Alert favored over competitors due to recall history elsewhere.
  • Also displays temperature so “you don’t have to sit there on vacation thinking about carbon monoxide poisoning.”
  • Approx. $30–$35—“That’s $3 a year because it lasts 10 years.” (16:24)
• Christine: “I would too. Not necessarily for lightning, but for shark attacks… If I’m going to the beach on Long Island, there’s a lot of sharks out there. I’d love to have a little alarm.” (16:52)

Where and How to Use a Detector (17:14)

• Place near sleeping areas (“that’s where you’ll be most affected”).
• If renting a house, put one on every floor if possible.
• Height doesn’t matter—CO is about the same weight as air. “I just put it on like a nightstand or dresser.” (17:41)
• Check instructions—don’t place too close to fuel-burning appliances.

Special Considerations: Boats, RVs, Camping (18:24)

• CO poisoning risk exists in “the cabin of a boat, might be an RV”—marine or RV-specific detectors needed.
• Older RVs may have non-signaling alarms—verify they work.
• Children have died after sitting near boat exhaust (“it can also be like if you’re swimming near exhaust all day…”).
• For campers: never burn fuel equipment inside tents. “Bottom line here is don’t burn things inside a tent.” (19:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rosie Guerin [00:54]: “I realize this might sound hyperbolic, but today's bonus episode could quite literally help save your life.”
• Christine Cyr Clisset [04:34]: “A family of four died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a condo complex where I had actually just stayed a couple months before with my family of four.”
• Maria Ottleman [06:06]: “…carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of poison related deaths in the U.S. so there’s at least 430 deaths annually and 14,000 hospitalizations.”
• Maria Ottleman [08:31]: “Carbon monoxide… it’s colorless, it’s odorless, it’s tasteless, it’s basically invisible to you.”
• Christine Cyr Clisset [16:52]: “I would too. Not necessarily for lightning, but for shark attacks… If I’m going to the beach on Long island, there’s a lot of sharks out there. I’d love to have a little alarm.”
• Maria Ottleman [16:24]: “That’s $3 a year because it lasts 10 years… carbon monoxide poisoning is so preventable.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening Personal Stories / Travel CO Risk Introduced – 00:54–05:30
• Statistics & Risk Comparison – 06:06–07:23
• Symptoms & Why They’re Deceptive – 08:23–09:52
• What to Do If Exposed – 10:10–10:45
• Why Detectors Aren’t Required – 11:00–12:00
• What Lodgings/Appliances Are Risky – 12:31–14:34
• Wirecutter Travel Detector Recommendations – 14:56–16:24
• Placement & Usage Tips – 17:14–17:41
• CO Safety for Campers/Boaters/RVs – 18:24–19:46

Actionable Advice & Takeaways

• Always travel with a battery-powered CO detector—especially in vacation rentals, older lodgings, Airbnbs, RVs, and boats.
• Consider the First Alert CO710 as a top choice for travel—long-life, portable, trusted.
• Place the detector near sleeping areas, or as detailed in instructions.
• Recognize that symptoms of CO poisoning can seem ordinary; don’t assume you’ll have clear warning.
• If you feel ill in unfamiliar lodging, get to fresh air immediately, even if you suspect something minor.
• Generators, fuel-burning appliances, and attached garages are high-risk; ensure proper ventilation and placement.

Closing Thoughts

The episode’s conversational, slightly anxious-yet-practical tone illustrates that CO poisoning is a surmountable threat: with a $30 travel detector, you can cross a genuinely deadly hazard off your worry list—freeing you to stress about sharks or lattes instead.
Christine and Maria make a convincing case for “one tiny, easy-to-carry thing” travelers should never overlook again.