New Delhi: At present the cold wave is at its peak in North India. As the temperature falls, people are resorting to various types of heating devices to protect themselves from cold. But these space heaters and fireplaces, which provide relief, are sometimes proving to be “silent killers”. In recent times, tragic incidents reported from different states have once again raised serious questions on the safe use of these devices.
Heart-wrenching incident came to light from Punjab
The latest case has come to light from Tarn Taran district of Punjab, where a young couple and their just one month old infant died of suffocation. It is being told that the family had lit the fireplace in the room to escape the cold and everyone had closed the doors and windows and slept. Due to the poisonous smoke coming out of the fireplace, there was a lack of oxygen, due to which all three lost their lives in their sleep. This incident once again proves how deadly heating equipment can be in closed rooms.
Not only the local fireplace, but also the electric heater is dangerous.
It is often thought that only coal or wood fired fireplaces are deadly, but recent incidents show that electric heaters can be just as dangerous. In the last one month, many families have lost their lives due to suffocation, carbon monoxide poisoning and heater fires. From the high-rise buildings of Delhi to the villages of Bihar and Kashmir valley, the number of such accidents has increased rapidly.
Tragedies of Delhi, Bihar and Kashmir
DMRC engineer Ajay Vimal, his wife and 10-year-old daughter died in a recent fire in a flat in Delhi’s Mukundpur area. Police suspect that there was a short circuit or explosion in the heater installed in the room, due to which smoke spread and the family became unconscious. According to the neighbors, no signs of any kind of struggle were found, which clearly shows that the accident happened while sleeping.
Another heartbreaking incident came to light in Gaya, Bihar, where a 60-year-old grandmother and her two young grandchildren died of suffocation due to burning of the fireplace in a closed room. In Srinagar, a chef, his wife and three children died in their rented room. An electric blower was found in the room, due to which there is a possibility of suffocation.
Caution is the only way to escape.
Experts say that adequate ventilation is very important while using heaters or fireplaces in winter. Using these devices in a closed room can prove fatal. A little carelessness can cost the life of the entire family.
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