MADISON, Wis. -- Turning up the home thermostat in this cold weather could mean an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which is why lawmakers are considering requiring residents to install detectors in their home.

Right now, carbon monoxide detectors are required for multi-family dwellings or apartment buildings. But some said that to protect the public, they should be installed in all homes.

People who suffered carbon monoxide poisoning spoke at an Assembly committee hearing Wednesday in favor of a bill requiring the detectors.

The Rev. Amanda Stein She and her parishioners were victims of carbon monoxide poisoning after a boiler malfunctioned at Trinity United Methodist Church in March, sending carbon monoxide levels off the charts.

"I was leading this little class, and all of a sudden I couldn't make sense out of what was in front of me," said Elaine Weidemann, a parishioner who fell ill.

"When I came to, I couldn't see anything. It was totally black. I could see nothing, and one of my legs was twitching," said Carol Compton, a parishioner who blacked out from the carbon monoxide.

"Firefighters left the building stating to me that they were fortunate that day to not have pulled dead bodies from our holy space," said Stein.

Following the incident, the church installed carbon monoxide detectors -- and found it again in September.

"We had two incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning within six months," said Stein. "Because of these detectors we were able to save lives."

The group is supporting a bill that would require carbon monoxide detectors in one- and two-family homes. Lawmakers said in 2005, 72 percent of poisonings occurred in those homes.

"Incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning are all too common, especially around the winter time and in many of our older homes," said Rep. Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, who co-authored the bill.

But the victims said the bill also needs to be expanded to churches and day care centers that might not be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide.

"It's insidious, I had no idea," said Compton. "I was having an intellectual discussion, enjoying my day, I stood up and I could have died."

The bill does not create a penalty for not installing the devices but would add it to the list of things building inspectors would have to look for and require them in new home construction.