The emergency services were called twice, a few hours apart in the capital for CO poisoning, Walter Derieuw, spokesperson for the Brussels firefighters, tells us via press release. Firefighters call for caution in the face of “silent killer“.
This Sunday evening, around 10:30 p.m., emergency services were urgently called to Jette, avenue de Levis Mirepoix, to help a child in medical distress. When they arrived, the rescuers’ carbon monoxide (CO) alarm immediately went off when they entered the home.
The seven members of the family were quickly evacuated to a safe place, while firefighters responded to the scene. The family, consisting of parents and five children aged between 2 1/2 and 14 years old, was then transported to HUDERF Children’s Hospital. Two of the children had severe poisoning, but fortunately their life prognosis was not serious.
The origin of this emanation of deadly gas, invisible and odorless, came from a charcoal barbecue used for cooking indoors. The coal embers continuously emitted carbon monoxide. In addition, the accommodation was heated with mobile auxiliary appliances, without adequate evacuation, turning the situation into a real time bomb.
To avoid such poisoning, it is essential to respect safety measures, recalls the firefighters’ press release: use compliant devices, ensure their maintenance, ventilate well and install CO detectors. The use of barbecues indoors is strictly prohibited, as is the use of additional heaters at night in the rooms. During the day, make sure to ventilate the spaces properly to ensure a sufficient supply of fresh air.
A second incident in Brussels
During the night from Sunday to Monday, around 2:10 a.m., another similar incident occurred. The Brussels firefighters were called to check the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) in a house located in Laeken, rue Steyls. The father was waiting for them outside and explained that he had taken one of his children to the emergency room earlier in the night. The child, presenting typical symptoms of CO poisoning (headache, vomiting, malaise), had been diagnosed with the presence of CO in the blood. The doctors then advised the father to evacuate the whole family and to contact the firefighters via 112.
Firefighters noted abnormal CO levels in the house. The four family members still present (the parents, a teenager and an adult son) were evacuated to the hospital for examinations. Their vital prognosis is not engaged. Two other family members, who had visited the home earlier in the day, were contacted by phone and asked to go to the emergency room for a check-up as a precaution.
The source of this toxic gas was poor exhaust gas evacuation. Although the boiler in the basement was compliant, the exhaust duct was not perfectly sealed.
CO poisoning carbon monoxide brussels throws laeken
Related News :