PIERCE, Neb.—A fifth-grader from Pierce Elementary is being hailed as a hero after saving her family from a potentially deadly carbon monoxide incident.

Sophie Holton, a student at Pierce Elementary, put life-saving knowledge into action after learning crucial warning signs.

Sophie's firefighting aspirations ignited after meeting her hero, Kelli Sindt, and attending camp through the Pierce Junior Fire Patrol.

"We challenge the kids to go through a checklist with their moms and dads," said Pierce Fire & Rescue firefighter Kelli Sindt. "Sophie went through our class and, while doing her checklist, realized they had smoke alarms but no carbon monoxide detectors."

Sophie went home determined to transform her family's safety, explaining how not having a carbon monoxide detector could cause headaches, vomiting, flu-like symptoms, or even deprive the body of oxygen, resulting in death.

"We came up with a plan in case there was a fire: how to get out and where to meet. Then, we immediately replaced all the carbon monoxide alarms," said Bailey Holton, Sophie's mother.

Thanks to her parents' quick action and Sophie's sharp attentiveness, what could have been a tragic ending for her family was averted.

"It was normal, but then I heard a whole bunch of beeping, and my dad was like, 'Oh, that's just something like my watch.' And then I'm just like, 'That doesn't sound like your watch,'" Sophie said.

Pierce Fire & Rescue Chief Steve Dolesh investigated the situation. "I went down into the furnace area and checked the furnace and discovered that the chimney pipe was rusted in half and not even on the furnace anymore. It was basically dumping carbon monoxide right into the house and wasn't even going outside," said Dolesh.

Sophie's mom hailed their crisis as nothing short of a miracle, a sentiment echoed by Sophie's quirky humor.

"They should just listen to their kids if their kids are just speaking facts," Sophie said.

Pierce Fire & Rescue officials emphasize that without the proper devices in place to detect carbon monoxide, the gas will attach to an individual's red blood cells quicker and stronger than oxygen. Depriving the body of oxygen causes early symptoms like headaches, nausea, vomiting, or flu-like symptoms. As it progresses, people can experience chest pain, respiratory problems, confusion, and neurological issues.

Chief Dolesh also advises homeowners to have at least one carbon monoxide detector on each floor of their house. If you have any type of gas appliance, regularly check your furnace and chimney piping to ensure it has a cap or cover to keep moisture out.

The Holton’s house was without one, which caused water, snow, and moisture to accumulate in the heating system and eventually rust the piping, allowing carbon monoxide to filter into the enclosed home rather than up and out the chimney.