Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Leaves 2 Dead, Several Hospitalized As Texans Try To Stay Warm

Multiple people across Texas have been sickened and even killed from carbon monoxide poisoning after they are believed to have improperly used grills, generators and cars to stay warm indoors as record low temperatures continue to cause widespread power outages, authorities said.

In Houston, a woman and a child were found dead Tuesday morning after a car was apparently left running in their homes attached garage to create heat amid an outage. A man and boy at the home were also taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning, the citys police department said.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that is produced when fuel is burned, such as in vehicles, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges or furnaces. When those items are used indoors, the gas can build up and poison people and animals who breathe it in, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Breathing in a lot of the gas can cause one to pass out or die. Those who are sleeping or drunk may not realize they are being poisoned before its too late.

If you decide to warm up in your car, make sure it's parked outside of your garage. Keep the tailpipe clear - carbon monoxide poisoning is fatal. #CarSafety #StayWarm pic.twitter.com/O6anex1z8e

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If you decide to warm up in your car, make sure it's parked outside of your garage. Keep the tailpipe clear - carbon monoxide poisoning is fatal. #CarSafety #StayWarm pic.twitter.com/O6anex1z8e
Houston OEM (@HoustonOEM) February 16, 2021

Cars, grills and generators should not be used in or near a building, the Houston Police Department said in a statement following the tragedy.

Similar incidents were reported a day earlier.

On Monday, a family of six was taken to a Houston-area hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning after they were believed to have used a charcoal grill to heat up their apartment for several hours, local authorities said.

The family was reportedly burning the fire for warmth for about four hours, the Cy-Fair Fire Department said.

The victims include four children ranging in age from 5 to 10. One of the children and one of the two adults hospitalized were listed as being in critical condition.