The bodies of a man and a woman, aged around sixty, were found lifeless by emergency services on Tuesday evening. They were in their room. Poisoning linked to the use of an indoor barbecue could be the cause of the tragedy.
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The whole street is in shock. In this cul-de-sac in the lake district of Bordeaux, everyone knows each other. The deceased couple, of Thai origin, moved there in the 2010s with their two children. He was very well integrated and very appreciated.
When emergency services arrived, around 7:30 p.m. this New Year's Eve, they found the 62-year-old man and his 60-year-old wife no longer reacting. And they failed to resuscitate them.
According to the police, in charge of the investigation, a barbecue was located in the home, a well-maintained house with one floor. The device appeared to have been turned on during the day.
“The investigation will have to determine whether it is carbon monoxide poisoning, an autopsy must be carried out” indicates the police officer on duty. For the moment, no leads have been ruled out.
In these very cold days and with soaring energy prices, many households are looking for additional heating solutions such as barbecues, braziers or charcoal stoves. But These devices are not intended for indoor use.
Ils “always emit a small amount of carbon monoxide which disperses into the air outdoors. On the other hand, in enclosed spaces, the concentration of carbon monoxide in the indoor air can quickly increase and endanger the people and animals present.” alerts ANSES, the national health security agency.
This deadly gas cannot be seen or felt
It initially causes headaches, some fatigue, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. You should immediately be concerned because “an intoxicated person can quickly lose consciousness and fall into a coma” specifies ANSES.
At the first warning signs, you must go outside and ventilate your home. Intoxicated people can be treated by administering oxygen, in a high-pressure hyperbaric chamber in the most serious cases.
ANSES advises you to ventilate your home regularly, never use a combustion appliance, nor a stove or generator to heat your home indoors, and to have your chimney swept at least once a year.