The incident occurred during the night of 17–18 December on Zacisze Street in Bolesławiec. Firefighters received another report concerning carbon monoxide. Five people were evacuated.

The police and a medical emergency team were also at the scene. The injured woman refused to be taken to hospital.

In view of the frequent incidents recently, such as chimney-soot fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, the County Headquarters of the State Fire Service recommends using carbon monoxide detectors in homes.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, commonly known as CO, is an odourless gas with highly toxic properties that, at room temperature, is completely undetectable by human senses. As the heating season is already under way and many people heat their homes with gas heaters, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases.

Where does CO come from and why is it so dangerous?

It is a highly poisonous, colourless and odourless gas, slightly lighter than air, which means that it easily mixes with and spreads through it. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of many fuels, including wood, oil, gas, petrol, kerosene, propane, coal and crude oil, caused by a lack of the oxygen necessary for complete combustion. This may result from insufficient fresh (outside) air reaching the appliance where combustion takes place, due to contamination, wear or incorrect adjustment of a gas burner, as well as premature closing of the furnace or cooker firebox. This is particularly dangerous in homes where windows are tightly closed or sealed for winter. CO is also often produced during a fire.

The danger of carbon monoxide poisoning stems from the fact that the gas is undetectable by humans. It enters the body through the respiratory system and is then absorbed into the bloodstream. In the respiratory system, carbon monoxide binds to haemoglobin 210 times faster than oxygen, blocking the supply of oxygen to the body. This poses a serious threat to human health and life. It prevents the proper distribution of oxygen in the blood and causes damage to the brain and other internal organs. Acute poisoning may result in irreversible damage to the central nervous system, coronary insufficiency and a heart attack, or even death.

How can poisoning be prevented?

The primary cause of poisoning is incomplete combustion, which may occur, for example, when windows are closed too tightly and there is no proper ventilation. This causes carbon monoxide to form and obstructs its removal. As much exhaust gas will flow outside as fresh air flows into the room. Above all, it is therefore necessary to ensure a constant supply of fresh air to the firebox (gas boiler, gas cooker, coal-fired cooker or furnace) and the unobstructed removal of exhaust gases.

Remember to:

  • open a window slightly in the home when using any source of fire (a gas boiler with an open combustion chamber, a gas or coal cooker)
  • do not cover ventilation grilles or air inlets
  • use the services of a qualified person when installing heating appliances and systems
  • carry out regular inspections and cleaning of ventilation systems and chimney flues
  • use technically sound appliances in which combustion takes place in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions; check the technical condition of heating appliances
  • use appliances with the appropriate approvals for placing them on the market; in cases of doubt, request the declaration of conformity issued by the appliance's manufacturer or importer, i.e. a document containing information about the technical specifications, intended use and scope of application of the appliance
  • when replacing windows with new ones, check that the ventilation works correctly, as new windows are usually much more airtight than those previously used in the building and may worsen ventilation
  • regularly check the air draught, for example by holding a sheet of paper against the opening or ventilation grille; if nothing is obstructing the ventilation, the sheet should adhere to the opening or grille
  • frequently ventilate the room where combustion takes place (kitchens and bathrooms equipped with gas water heaters), and preferably ensure that the windows are slightly unsealed, even if only minimally
  • place carbon monoxide detectors in the part of the home where your family sleeps. For increased safety, it is worth placing additional detectors in every room; do not burn charcoal indoors, in a garage, on an enclosed porch or in similar places if they do not have adequate ventilation
  • do not leave a car with its engine running in the garage, even if the garage door remains open
  • do not disregard symptoms of breathlessness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness, weakness, accelerated heartbeat or breathing, as they may indicate carbon monoxide poisoning; in such a situation, immediately ventilate the room where you are and seek medical advice.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • general fatigue
  • breathlessness
  • difficulty breathing
  • rapid, irregular breathing
  • drowsiness
  • nausea.

The weakness and fatigue felt by someone suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as impaired orientation and ability to assess danger, make the person completely passive (they do not escape from the place where the poison has accumulated), causing them to lose consciousness and—if no one comes to their aid—die.

How can you help in the event of carbon monoxide poisoning?

  • immediately ensure a supply of fresh, clean air
  • move the injured person to a safe place in the fresh air as quickly as possible
  • loosen the injured person's clothing, but do not undress them, as they must not be allowed to become chilled
  • call the emergency services
  • if the person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning is not breathing after being taken into the fresh air, immediately begin artificial respiration and cardiac massage.