The head of Iran’s emergency training department Farhad Rezvani has emphasized the proper use of standard heating appliances in the cold season.
“In the past year, we had 1790 cases of outpatient treatment and 201 cases of deaths due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Incorrect use of heating equipment and also non-standard appliances can result in CO fatalities,” Mehr news agency quoted him as saying.
Indications of CO poisoning “are similar to flu and cold symptoms including runny nose and eyes, cough, shortness of breath and hoarseness in voice.”
Long period of CO inhalation can result in loss of consciousness, coma and even death. When a gas heater is on, the color of the flame should be predominantly blue and also the exhaust pipe of the heating unit should be hot (not cold). Cold pipe (when the heater is on) is a sign of production of dangerous, potentially fatal CO fumes.
Not Suitable
Heaters without exhaust pipes should only be used for heating of places where entrance doors are frequently opened and closed. They are not suitable for closed spaces at all, he stressed.
Also fireplaces are not a good heating source for home interiors as they burn oxygen and release CO2, he added.
In case of CO poisoning, it is imperative to shift the person and turn off the appliance. Also it is essential to perform CPR for two minutes before calling (115) emergency center. It is necessary to continue with CPR until the person begins to breath or emergency help arrives.
