HURON COUNTY, Ohio -- An emergency gas powered generator almost cost a Huron County father and son their lives this week, reported NewsChannel5.

The family didn't know the gas-powered generator had a leak, and its home filled with carbon monoxide gas.

When Debra Hartley returned home from work, she found her husband and her son, Brad, barely alive.

The two had started the generator in the basement of their home and were quickly overcome by the fumes.

Hartley also found the family's two dogs, cats and birds lying dead. She had little time to act in order to save the lives of her family.

Last week's ice storm had knocked out power to thousands of homes in Huron County, but the Hartleys now know they made the potentially fatal mistake of starting a gas generator inside their home.

Five people have died in Ohio since Friday from carbon monoxide poisoning, due to generators and kerosene heaters.

Even properly running generators should never be run in enclosed spaces, especially homes, according to Medina Township Fire Department Captain Mark Roberts.

It's important to know the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning -- dizziness, headaches and fatigue that disappear when you go outside.

Also make sure your home is equipped with a carbon monoxide detector. You can get them at most home improvement stores for about $50.

For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning, click here.