People seeking warmth around a brazier.
The temperatures continue to drop; many are doing everything they can to stay warm this winter; however, a ‘silent killer’ continues to lurk.
During winter, windows are shut against the cold, gas heaters and charcoal braziers are lit, and generators are used during power outages. While these measures may provide comfort, they can also create a deadly risk inside the home: carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is urging residents to take precautions against carbon monoxide poisoning, known as the silent killer because it is invisible, odourless, and tasteless.
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as charcoal, wood, paraffin, petrol, or gas do not burn completely. When fuel-burning appliances are used in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces, the gas can quickly build up to dangerous levels without anyone realising it.