The victims range in age from 22 to 65 years old, having been transported to hospital units in Alcobaça and Leiria. This Saturday, a man died from poisoning caused by a generator.
Poisoning caused by a generator last night affected nine people, five of whom were in serious condition, in Fervença, in the municipality of Alcobaça (Leiria), the commander of the local Volunteer Fire Department told Lusa this Sunday.
According to Leandro Domingos, it was “carbon monoxide poisoning, last night [sábado]because they had a generator inside the house”, in Fervença.
Volunteers from Alcobaça and Nazaré arrived at the scene, as well as from the National Institute of Medical Emergency.
The victims range in age from 22 to 65 years old, having been transported to hospital units in Alcobaça and Leiria.
On social media, the Leiria Territorial Command of the National Republican Guard (GNR) warns that in the cold weather people seek the comfort of fireplaces and, in the event of a power failure, they resort to generators, but both “can release carbon monoxide, a highly toxic gas, with no smell, color or taste, which can be fatal”.
The GNR reminds that, in the case of fireplaces and braziers, “ventilation is vital”, asking citizens to “always leave a crack in a window”.
On the other hand, he highlights the need to clean chimneys, as “a blocked chimney causes toxic gases to return into the house”, calling for people to always put out embers before going to sleep.
As for generators, they must always be outside, never turning them on “inside the house, in the garage or in outbuildings, even with open windows”.
In this case, a safety distance must be observed, and “the exhaust must be at least six meters away from any air intake in the house”, in addition to it being confirmed that the smoke from the generator is not being pushed into the house.
The signs of intoxication are “headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion or sudden drowsiness” and, if this happens, the appeal to citizens is to immediately go outdoors and call 112.
