Officials are asking residents to exercise extreme caution when using appliances like generators and barbecues to heat up their homes.

Two people died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Newcastle on Monday night. Police say a gas-powered generator was running in a garage to supply electricity in order to heat their house. Although there was no access to the house from the garage, the fumes still got inside. A 52-year-old man and his 72-year-old mother were treated in hospital but they did not survive.

Toronto Deputy Chief Mike McCoy said Tuesday morning that Toronto Fire Services responded to 110 calls relating to carbon monoxide issues during the previous 24 hours.

On Tuesday afternoon Toronto EMS took a 76-year-old woman and 12-year-old child to hospital after showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Police say the victims were using a charcoal BBQ to heat up their home. They are both being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

On Monday night 11 people, including a 2-year-old girl, were taken to a Toronto hospital after they exhibited signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Meanwhile three adults were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning in Elora. OPP say a generator was too close to a home and the fumes got inside.

Emergency services were also called to an incident in Ballinafad, just south of Erin. Police say someone was operating a generator in the basement of a vacant building.

Erin Fire Chief Dan Callaghan said: “It is recommended that all homes with appliances that produce carbon monoxide such as wood stoves, gas fireplaces, furnaces, hot water heaters have a carbon monoxide detector on every level, and do not leave a motor vehicle running in a garage.”

Carbon monoxide safety tips:

  • Never use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off.
  • Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home.
  • Carbon Monoxide is the “silent killer.” If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air right away. Seek medical help immediately.

With files from The Canadian Press