These accidents can be fatal , and occur more frequently, but not exclusively, in rural areas of Portugal. Why do accidents involving open fires happen? This is because in rural areas it is more common for houses to be heated by burning wood. In Portugal, between 2005 and 2011 there were at least 111 deaths caused by the inhalation of carbon monoxide. Most of these deaths were in the northern part of the country , where temperatures are lower. In this region, 71% of these deaths were caused by domestic incidents involving open fires or wood burners. Open fires and carbon monoxide: what's the danger? Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas that is given off by burning fuel. It can spread into the air without people noticing. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning When inhaled, it causes symptoms that are not usually associated with poisoning, such as: Headache; Malaise; Nausea; Drowsiness. When they feel these symptoms, people tend to sit in a comfortable environment in the expectation the symptoms will pass. As the carbon monoxide makes you feel drowsy, sitting in a comfortable place will mean that you end up falling asleep and will no longer be able to react to or identify the danger you are in, and you will eventually die from gas poisoning. Burns from open fires: who is at greatest risk? In addition to fatal accidents caused by the inhalation of toxic gases, it is also common for burns , often severe, to occur in higher risk groups, such as: Children; Dependent adults with limited mobility; Diabetics; who, because they have a reduced sensitivity to pain, do not realise they are getting burnt. Among this group, burns on the hands and particularly in the feet are very common. How can accidents involving open fires be avoided? It is important that families take special care during the winter months: Do not leave open fires or other sources of heat by fuel combustion alight without the supervision of responsible adults; Teach children not to go near to sources of heat; Don’t get too close to the fireplace, especially if you know you are diabetic; Warn other family members that they may not feel their arms and legs getting burnt due to their diabetes; Do not leave fires lit in closed rooms; Always ventilate sufficiently to ensure the renewal of ambient air; Check gas elimination systems -the chimney and all gas pipelines should be completely unobstructed; If using the fireplace causes visible smoke in the room when it is lit, it should be looked at by a specialist or not used; If you're in an environment being heated by an open fire and you start feeling drowsy or generally ill, or you have a headache, put out the flames and open doors and windows to refresh the air; Never fall asleep in a room with the fire still lit. Even where there are no visible flames, embers continue to produce carbon monoxide and can lead to incidents in closed rooms; Make sure you are aware of emergency contact numbers: the telephone number of the local firefighters and the national emergency number, 112. In short, always be aware of the risks , which are relatively easy to identify, and learn the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Be alert, be careful. Author : André Ribas Ribeiro Meet the General and Family Medicine team of Hospital da Luz network The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
