RE “2 car deaths tied to carbon monoxide” (Metro, Feb. 10): The
deaths in Boston of a man and a boy who were keeping warm in
their cars and were overcome by carbon monoxide because of snow
plugging the exhaust pipe were not only tragic; they were also
unnecessary. They could have been prevented if all automobiles
were equipped with carbon monoxide detectors. As we know from
the experience in our homes, these monitors are inexpensive,
sensitive, and reliable. The Consumer Product Safety Commission
should require automobile manufacturers to install in all cars
carbon monoxide monitors connected to a warning buzzer that
shuts the engine off if the operator doesn’t respond within 15
seconds. One of the major lessons in health care safety is that
the way to prevent accidental injuries is not by urging people
to be more careful, but by changing the systems to make errors
impossible. This approach would be far more effective than the
most extensive warning or education campaign.