A Terrifying Close Call: Salve Regina Student's Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Sparks Urgent Safety Reminder

You know, there are some stories that just grab you, that really make you pause and think, "What if?" This past week, Newport saw one of those truly frightening situations unfold, a stark reminder of how quickly things can go sideways, especially when it comes to invisible dangers. A junior from Salve Regina University, just starting out their day, found themselves in a critical battle for their life, all due to something as insidious as carbon monoxide poisoning.

It was late into the night, or really, the very early morning hours, when emergency responders were called to an off-campus home. The initial call was a medical emergency, but once they arrived, the scene quickly escalated. We're talking about a student found unconscious – a truly terrifying discovery for anyone. That's when the Newport Fire Department, thankfully, sprang into action with their specialized equipment, and what they found inside that house was nothing short of alarming: dangerously elevated levels of carbon monoxide.

The culprit, it turned out, was a faulty gas-fired hot air furnace, a common heating system that, when neglected or malfunctioning, can become a silent killer. And here's the kicker, the part that truly gets under your skin: the home simply didn't have working carbon monoxide detectors. Can you imagine? An essential safety device, mandated by law for rental properties, just wasn't there to provide that crucial early warning. Beyond the critically ill student, two other young people in the house were also feeling unwell, experiencing tell-tale symptoms like vomiting and headaches, a clear sign the invisible gas was affecting them too.

The gravity of the situation meant that the primary student had to be rushed to the hospital, initially in critical condition, and then quickly transferred to a specialized hyperbaric chamber in Boston. It was a race against time, a real fight for recovery. Thankfully, and this is truly wonderful news, reports indicate the student is now in stable condition and on the road to healing. But for a while there, it was a nail-biting, heart-wrenching ordeal for their family, friends, and the entire Salve Regina community.

Newport Fire Chief Scott Booth, rightfully, didn't mince words when addressing this incident. He stressed, and frankly, we all need to hear this loud and clear, that carbon monoxide detectors aren't just a suggestion; they are a legal requirement for landlords, especially in rental units. It's not enough to just have them; they need to be properly installed and regularly checked to ensure they're actually working. This isn't just about ticking a box; it's literally about saving lives. Landlords, students, and parents alike need to take this to heart and make sure these simple devices are in place and operational.

Salve Regina University has, of course, been there to support its students through this difficult time, offering assistance and, I'm sure, reiterating the vital importance of safety. But this whole episode, it's more than just a local news item. It's a vivid, powerful reminder for every single person living in an off-campus apartment or any home with fuel-burning appliances. Please, take a moment. Check your detectors. If you don't have them, get them. Because when it comes to carbon monoxide, you often don't get a second chance to realize something is wrong until it's too late. Let this close call be the wake-up call we all need to prioritize safety.