The security corps of the Consell de Mallorca warns of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, the main cause of accidents in homes in Mallorca.

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An awareness campaign to prevent poisoning and fires in the home

Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the main causes of accidents in homes in Mallorca. Bad combustion in a heating system can lead to the inhalation of this gas, and the consequences can be fatal. For this reason, we must be very careful when lighting a cooker or brazier.

Now that the cold weather has arrived, the Mallorca fire brigade has launched a campaign to warn of the danger of carbon monoxide. CO is a highly toxic gas, it is colourless and odourless, and cannot be detected by the human senses. It is also lighter than air, so it takes up all the space in a room. Poor combustion due to oxygen deficiency in heating systems can produce this harmful gas, which can accumulate in enclosed spaces, with the consequent danger of inhalation and poisoning.

For this reason, the prevention of this risk is fundamental. The Bombers de Mallorca want to convey a series of tips when using braziers, fireplaces, cookers, heaters or gas boilers. If the following recommendations are followed, the use of these will be safe:

The heaters and boilers should be checked regularly.
Make sure that the flame on heaters and boilers is always blue.
The grilles and ventilation ducts must be kept free and clean.
Avoid leaving braziers, fireplaces and cookers on during the night, and even more so, avoid sleeping with these systems running.
The room where braziers, fireplaces and cookers are used should be ventilated often.
Fireplaces and cookers should be checked periodically and cleaned, so that the flue is clean.
It is advisable to install CO detectors.
Even if this advice is followed, accidents can still happen. For this reason, the most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning should be known, to prevent greater evils. Indicators are headache, dizziness and confusion, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting.

If unfortunately the incident cannot be avoided, it is very important to know what to do in cases of carbon monoxide poisoning:

Ventilate the room quickly.
If possible, turn off the system that caused the poisoning.
Go outside.
Quickly call 112.

The island’s director of Emergencies, Joan Fornàs, wanted to recall “the continuous work done by the Bombers de Mallorca in prevention and public awareness tasks. Keeping the public well informed is essential to prevent accidents and emergencies from occurring. The primary objective of the Bombers de Mallorca is the safety of Mallorcans.