ALPINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The Kent County Sheriff’s Office says three people were found dead in their home, likely due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Deputies, along with Alpine Township Fire responded to a home in the 4800 block of Stage Avenue NW around 2:30 p.m. Friday.
When they got there, firefighters found high levels of carbon monoxide in the home, which had to be exited and ventilated before police could enter safely.
The sheriff’s office says an 86-year-old man and his 81-year-old wife were found dead in the home, along with their 61-year-old son.
The Kent County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official causes of death, but investigators do not believe suspicious activity is involved.
They say it’s possible these three deaths are related to high levels of carbon monoxide, and investigators are working to find the possible source.
"It's called the silent killer. We don't know when carbon monoxide is present," fire safety expert Michael McLeieer said.
McLeieer is also the president of Education Showing Children and Adults Procedures for Evacuations. He says more than 400 people in the United States die every year from accidental nonfire-related.
"I would recommend we have carbon monoxide alarms near our sleeping area. Since most of these incidents are happening in the evening at night," he added.
McLeieer adds that more than 20,000 people visit emergency rooms around the U.S., and more than 4,000 are hospitalized yearly.
"When we hear the alarm, alarm sound, we need to make sure we get out and stay out get everyone out of the home, and go outside and await the fire department's arrival safe choice would be to call 911 safely outside either from a cell phone or from the neighbor's house never reenter the home until the fire department can check the levels and make sure that it is safe for people to reenter back into the home," McLeieer told FOX 17.
The sheriff’s office wants to remind everyone to check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on a regular basis.
FOX 17 and E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. teamed up with local fire departments and the American Red Cross to provide and install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in owner-occupied homes throughout West Michigan.
To schedule a free smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector installation, email safe@fox17online.com or call 844-978-4400.
