A child care center in Kittery, Maine, experienced a carbon monoxide scare last week, resulting in nearly a dozen people being treated for poisoning. It was revealed that the center did not have a working carbon monoxide detector at the time of the incident. Inspectors found multiple violations at the facility, including the absence of fire extinguishers, non-operational emergency lights, and a neglected fire alarm system. The source of the carbon monoxide was determined to be a propane-powered concrete saw in an adjacent suite.
The owner of the Building Blocks Learning Center, which is operated by Maine Learning Centers, sent a letter to parents partially blaming state regulators for not properly addressing the issues during previous inspections. The center had passed an inspection by the Department of Health and Human Services in June 2024, but the carbon monoxide detector did not activate during the incident.
Following the violations and ongoing investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office, the child care center remains closed indefinitely. Child care facilities in Maine are required by law to have both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining proper safety measures in child care centers to protect the well-being of children and staff members.
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