Kids Poisoned at Hockey Tournament | Calgary News

Three parents are sounding the alarm after their kids fell ill from carbon monoxide poisoning at a hockey tournament in December 2024 — one parent is an off-duty firefighter who recognized the symptoms immediately. Along with 22 other children and two adults, they were rushed to Alberta Children’s Hospital. Their harrowing experience led them to publish a warning in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, exposing how fuel-powered ice resurfacers can leak deadly gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide — especially in enclosed arenas without detectors. Health Canada recommends immediate action when levels hit 25 ppm, yet no alarms existed at the rink. This isn’t an isolated case: between 2016 and 2026, 11 CO poisonings and one NO2 incident were reported across Canadian rinks — including a 2019 St. John’s event that hospitalized nearly 80 people. Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, making detection impossible without equipment. The parents are now demanding mandatory CO detectors in all ice arenas — comparing it to smoke detectors — arguing it’s a simple, life-saving measure to prevent long-term cognitive and emotional damage. With ice sports deeply embedded in Canadian culture, this push for safety is urgent to protect young athletes and ensure every game is played in a truly safe environment. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a82d8c9c845d4fc4