From public pools to nursing homes, and from firearms storage to carbon monoxide detection, when it comes to home and community safety, Colorado has some of the lowest scores in the nation. In the National Safety Council’s (NSC) “The State of Safety” report, Colorado received an “F” grade for home and community safety, ranking 32nd in the country.
Home and Community Safety Risks for Colorado Residents
Why was Colorado’s score so low? Based on the NSC’s nationwide survey, Colorado’s public safety laws fall short of the national standard in each of the following areas:
1. Drownings
The NSC rated Colorado as “Off Track” with regard to pool safety based upon its failure to enact laws that:
- Update public pool and water facility regulations to conform with the model aquatic health code
- Require barriers around residential pools
- Require CPR training for high school graduates
2. Firearms
Colorado received slightly higher scores in the area of firearm safety based upon the fact that it requires universal background checks for gun sales and mandates sharing of mental health records with the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). However, it still falls short in the areas of:
- Imposing a waiting period for firearm purchases
- Requiring training and a license or permit in order to purchase a firearm
- Safe firearm storage requirements
3. Home Fires
Colorado received a failing grade in home fire safety based upon its failure to require sprinkler systems for new single-family homes and duplexes, and for its lack of a legal requirement for smoke alarms to include 10-year lifetime batteries.
4. Older Adult Falls
Colorado received a “Developing” rating with regard to protecting senior citizens from fall-related injuries. It scored points for developing a state fall prevention coalition and allowing pharmacists to modify elderly patients’ prescriptions under appropriate circumstances; however, it lacks the nursing home fall-prevention strategy and education requirements that exist in other states.
5. Poisonings
The NSC also rated Colorado as “Off Track” with regard to poisoning prevention. While Colorado requires carbon monoxide detectors in private residences and has protocols in place regarding naloxone prescriptions, it does not require:
- Carbon monoxide detectors in schools, hotels and motels
- Prescriber education on pain management
- Regulation of pain clinics and pain management service providers
- Prescription drug monitoring for first-time opioid prescription recipients
Seeking Financial Compensation for Overdoses and Premises-Related Injuries
From nursing home negligence and medical malpractice to residential and commercial premises liability, if you or a loved one has been injured due to a lack of adequate safety precautions, there are potentially a number of ways that you can seek financial compensation for your losses. Even if a specific safety precaution is not required under Colorado law, this does not necessarily provide an excuse for putting others in harm’s way. If you have questions about your rights, you should speak with an attorney promptly, and we encourage you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation at Levine Law
For more information about your rights after an accident in Colorado, call 303-333-8000 or submit your information online to speak with a Denver personal injury attorney at Levine Law. We are available 24/7, and if you send us your information online we will respond as soon as possible.
