“A Pretty Good Miracle”: First Aid Training Helps Save Family from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
A family of four in Kitchener, Ontario is recovering after narrowly surviving a near-fatal case of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning—an incident described as a “pretty good miracle.”
The frightening event occurred in the early hours of Friday morning when Alicia Mighton and her mother returned home after spending the night out. Arriving around 2:30–3:00 a.m., they were met with a terrifying sight.
“We found my little sister and my dad unconscious,” Mighton told CTV Kitchener.
Quick thinking during a life-threatening emergency
Despite repeated attempts, Alicia was unable to wake them. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, she immediately called 911 and relied on her first aid training to respond.
“I tried doing a sternum rub on both and put them in the recovery position,” she explained.
The danger extended beyond the family members. Their family cat was also found unconscious. Using CPR skills she had learned through first aid training, Alicia was able to revive the animal.
“We ended up getting everybody out of the house,” Mighton said. “Everyone is alive.”
A frightening wake-up call
Alison Lewis, Alicia’s sister, later shared that the last thing she remembered was going to bed.
“I woke up in the back of an ambulance,” Lewis said. “I couldn’t feel my whole body. I didn’t know what was going on. It was a very scary experience.”
Firefighters arriving on scene quickly determined that carbon monoxide was responsible.
How carbon monoxide filled the home
The poisoning was traced back to a power outage the previous evening. During the outage, the father started a portable generator in the garage. Exhaust fumes slowly seeped into the house while everyone slept.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas often referred to as “the silent killer,” as it can cause sudden illness or death without warning.
All four family members were taken to hospital. While the father remained hospitalized for recovery, doctors confirmed that all family members were expected to make a full recovery.
“They said if my sister and my mom waited five more minutes to come home, he would’ve been dead,” Lewis said.
Reflecting on the experience, Mighton described the timing as extraordinary.
“We decided that it was a pretty good miracle that we actually ended up going out that night and not all four of us went to sleep and never woke up.”
For full details and firsthand accounts, you can read the original CTV News article here:
👉 ‘A pretty good miracle’: Mother and daughter rescue family after carbon monoxide poisoning
When safety systems fail, training matters
Although the home was equipped with a carbon monoxide detector, it was not functioning at the time of the incident—highlighting the importance of both working detectors and emergency preparedness.
This real-life emergency demonstrates how proper first aid and CPR training can make the difference between life and death. Courses such as Standard First Aid with CPR teach individuals how to recognize emergencies, call for help, and take immediate action when seconds matter.
If you want to be prepared for real-world emergencies like this one, consider enrolling in a comprehensive first aid and CPR course through Winnipeg First Aid’s Standard First Aid training program.
Be prepared when seconds matter
Carbon monoxide incidents often occur during winter months and power outages, when generators and fuel-burning appliances are in use. Ensuring carbon monoxide detectors are working—and having the skills to respond when they fail—can save lives.
First aid training gives you the confidence and ability to act when it matters most.
Helpful safety and first aid resources:
About The Author
Mark Kascha
Certified First Aid Instructor Trainer with 30+ years of real-world experience, including lifeguarding, workplace emergency response, and first aid program development across Canada. Has worked with WorkSafeBC, WSIB, and Manitoba Health.
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Last reviewed: March 2026
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