I am a victim of CO poisoning

Watching the news and reading the paper about the carbon monoxide tragedy brought back memories for me. It was Dec. 27, 1957. Our family was torn apart. This tragedy could have been avoided if only there were detectors.

There were five of us children. That day my three sisters - ages one, four and eight - and a brother, age six, died because of carbon monoxide. I was nine years old. Mom and I were in a coma; my father went crazy. He found us when he came home from work. That day is still very clear in my mind. I will never forget. Everyone's home should have carbon monoxide detectors; all landlords should be made to put them in their places before they are rented out.

This is a silent killer with no odor. My parents were never the same after that day. How many families have to be torn apart before something is done to avoid this killer? This is a serious problem. Make sure your homes have these carbon monoxide detectors in them. Don't let this tragedy happen to you.

Nancy VanLeuven

Ellenville