KCTV 5Family lucky to be alive after sickened by carbon monoxide poisoning

A family of three was sickened early Wednesday by carbon monoxide poisoning, according to authorities.

The family says they and their dog and cats are lucky to be alive today.

Lenexa Fire Battalion Chief Eric Ramsey said a faulty furnace inside the home in the 8100 block of Woodstone Street was to blame.

Terrilynn Miller said she and her husband woke up about 4 a.m. to the strong odor of natural gas. They had headaches and were suffering from nausea.

"We actually thought we had smelled natural gas," she said. "And my husband and I both woke up at the same time, which was unusual. We decided to get up and check it out."

The couple called the gas company whose employees urged the couple and their 12-year-old son, Paulreno, to flee their home. They huddled in their car. While waiting, Miller and the boy began to throw up. The family then called 911.

Firefighters arrived and paramedics put all three on oxygen. They were rushed to the hospital where they were treated and released.

The 30-year-old  furnace with the leak was in the basement. The gas company and fire department determined there were high levels of carbon monoxide throughout the house but especially in the basement where the furnace was.

Miller was worried about the family's cats that sleep in the basement. But both the feline companions and the family dog were checked out and expected to be OK.

Miller said she knows it could have been much worse. A repairman is replacing the broken furnace today and she's making another purchase.

"What was going through my mind was why in the world did I not have a detector. I knew about this. I should have done it," she said. "I am not going to bed tonight without having a carbon monoxide detector in the house."

Ramsey said the situation could have turned out much worse, particularly since carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colorless, odorless gas. Ramsey said he strongly suggests that everyone have a carbon monoxide detector inside their residence.

"Five hundred parts per million is extremely dangerous and over a short period of time you would not be able to take care of themselves much longer," Ramsey said. "So this family is fortunate that they woke up and did not have a tragic situation."

The detectors cost $20 to $40.

Miller knows just how lucky it is that she and her husband woke up at the same time.

"Definitely there was a hand watching us and helping us without a doubt," she said.

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