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Houston residents were waiting for hours to fill up their propane tanks Wednesday amid massive power outages caused by the winter storm. Carbon monoxide poisoning cases within the state have increased in recent weeks, with officials attributing most to the misuse of heating devices such as charcoal grills and portable generators. Residents of Houston stand in line to fill their propane tanks on Wednesday, WebTreasure Hunter amid extensive power disruptions due to the winter storm. Cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in Texas have increased in recent days, with authorities saying that the main cause is the incorrect use of heating devices like charcoal grills as well as portable generators. Updated at 10:31 p.m. Texas is seeing an increase in the number of carbon monoxide poisonings that occur this week, as plunging temperatures and continuous power interruptions force people to search for warmth progressively away from risky sources. According to a spokesperson from the Texas Department of State Health Services, 450 carbon monoxide-related calls have been received by the Texas Poison Center Network in the state since February 11. She noted that some of those calls were received while heading to an urgent care or emergency facility. Around 300 incidents of deaths, two of which were fatal, were recorded in Harris County — the state’s largest population — by Tuesday evening, according to Judge Lina Hidalgo. The judge described the number as «just the top of the iceberg» saying that it’s likely much higher. Local and state officials have attributed most of the cases to the use of improper home heating sources that range from barbecue pits, charcoal grills and campfire stoves as well as practices like running portable generators and car engines inside. These mechanisms all release carbon monoxide. This colorless and odorless gas can cause permanent brain damage or even death at certain levels. Carbon Monoxide poisonings increase after big storms. Incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning are on the rise in the last couple of days. Please remember NOT to take any outdoor appliances (grills, etc.) You can either park your car in the garage or bring any outdoor appliances (grills, etc.) Be safe and stay warm! Laurie Christensen, Harris County Fire Marshal, announced Tuesday that there have been numerous carbon monoxide-related calls and incidents that it’s difficult to track the whole thing. Residents were urged to adhere to the guidelines for safety. Make sure that generators and grills are away from doors, windows and vents. Spread the word! Generator use is on the rise as power cuts are common and temperatures remain frigid. Already in the Houston metropolitan area there have been instances of poisoning with carbon monoxide. Dr. Samuel Prater, an emergency doctor in the Memorial-Hermann Health System in Houston has told NPR’s All Things Considered that his emergency room saw nearly 60 cases of carbon monoxide on Monday, and 40 cases on Tuesday and more than half being children. According to Prater’s reports the winter storm that has been unprecedented has led many people to seek warmth whenever they can, including parents. Local officials, fire stations, and hospitals have reported instances sporadically in the last few days. The surge in poisonings also caused the Texas Department of State Health Services to issue a warning that advises residents to «use extreme caution» when working with generators as well as other carbon monoxide-producing heat sources. The Cy-Fair Fire Department of Harris County stated that 14 individuals were taken to the hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning from the department. Seven children were among them. It later transported another nine family members, and reported that two families reportedly used charcoal grills indoors. Never heat your home with the stove, charcoal grill or oven. Regularly circulate fresh air in your rooms. Keep heaters 3 ft. Capt. Capt. Daniel Arizpe, Cy-Fair Fire Department, told NPR via email that two people died from carbon monoxide exposure in Houston. He said that police conducting the welfare check discovered four family members who had apparently heated their garage using a vehicle. They reported that the adult female and the female child passed away while the male child and adult male also died. They were taken to the hospital. And in Fort Worth, Cook Children’s Medical Center announced that it was treating at least 13 patients on Monday night, whose families tried to heat their homes, using propane- or diesel-burning generators designed to be used outdoors, or portable generators placed too close to their homes. Pure oxygen is used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning. Dr. Sam Selby is an emergency doctor at Cook Children’s. The signs of poisoning with carbon monoxide are nausea, headaches dizziness, vomiting chest pain, confusion, and breathing problems. Officials advise anyone suffering from these symptoms to seek medical attention, and to move to an area which is adequately ventilated. In a series of tweets that were posted on Twitter, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission encouraged individuals to ensure that they use their home heating equipment properly and remind anyone with relatives or friends experiencing power outages about the dangers of carbon monoxide noting that a quick inspection could save lives.