Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, has issued a statement warning members of the public about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning after a couple died as a result of inhaling furnace smoke.
The couple, aged 29 and 26, went to bed and left a furnace heater on at their home in Vosman extension 6. As a result, they inhaled the smoke while they were asleep and died of carbon monoxide poisoning. A family member came to the couple’s house the following morning and found them unresponsive. They immediately called emergency services, but the couple was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation by law enforcement revealed that the couple died due to suffocation caused by the inhalation of the smoke from the furnace heater. Lieutenant General Manamela has urged members of the public to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and to take steps to prevent it. She has advised people to never leave a furnace heater on overnight and to ensure that their furnace is properly ventilated.
She has also advised people to have their furnaces inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician every year. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced when fuel burns incompletely. It can be deadly if inhaled in high concentrations. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and loss of consciousness. If you think you or someone you know may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 immediately.
The SAPS is committed to protecting the lives of Mpumalangans, and we urge everyone to take the necessary precautions to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. By following these safety tips, you can help to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.