Omaha, NE – Three people were taken to a hospital in serious condition after a report of possible carbon monoxide poisoning Thursday morning.
Emergency crews were sent to the home just south of 46th and L streets around 9 a.m.
Initial reports indicate a car was left running in the garage overnight.
At the hospital, doctors used a specialized treatment to get more oxygen in the victims’ systems. The treatments let the patients breathe in 15 times the normal amount of oxygen, forcing out the carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can have lasting effects on the heart and brain, but it is preventable.
“Most people don’t really have carbon monoxide detectors in their house, but they sure get them after they’ve been exposed to it, something like this,” said UNMC Dr. Joseph Sippel.
Most carbon monoxide detectors cost around $20.