Jason Cole, the assistant chief of the Lebanon Rescue Department, said the family called at about 3:50 a.m., saying a carbon monoxide alarm was going off in their house in North Lebanon. Rescue and fire crews found the family in a car outside the house waiting for help to arrive. Cole said that the father said all seven members of the family were showing
signs of carbon monoxide poisoning: trouble breathing, sore throats, minor headaches and upset stomachs.

All seven were taken to the hospital, where they were undergoing tests early this morning, Cole said. He declined to release their identity, citing medical confidentiality laws. He said the father is 41, the mother is 37 and the children are 14, 12, 9, 7 and 3.

Cole said the average carbon monoxide reading inside the house was 55 parts per million and one area had a reading of 91 ppm. He said a reading over 30 ppm raises the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, especially if there is long-term exposure to the gas.

Lebanon Rescue has responded to several carbon monoxide alarms and emergencies this year, Cole said.