Deadly Winter Silence: Space Heaters Claim Lives Across North India, Doctors Warn of 'Silent Killer' Dangers

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As North India shivers through the harsh winter, a silent killer is claiming lives in its grip. Space heaters, from coal-based 'desi' heaters to electric ones, are becoming increasingly deadly, causing suffocation, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heater-related fires. The recent spate of tragedies has seen entire families perish in their sleep, from high-rise apartments in Delhi to remote villages in Bihar and Kashmir. In the past month, at least a dozen families have lost their lives due to improper use of heaters and traditional braziers. The most recent tragedy occurred in Tarn Taran, Punjab, where a young couple and their month-old infant died of asphyxiation after sleeping with a brazier in a poorly ventilated room. In Delhi's Mukundpur area, a family of three died in a fire sparked by a room heater, while in Bihar's Gayaji, a 60-year-old grandmother and her two grandchildren suffocated in a closed room with a lit brazier. Medical experts warn that the dangers of space heaters are not limited to carbon monoxide poisoning. Dr. Naveed Nazir Shah, head of the Chest Disease Hospital in Srinagar, explains that heating devices consume oxygen in closed rooms, leading to the accumulation of toxic gases. Victims often experience dizziness, headaches, and fatigue before falling unconscious, making it a 'silent killer'. A study by researchers at AIIMS New Delhi found that 95% of carbon monoxide fatalities occurred during winter, with coal-burning vessels in poorly ventilated spaces being the primary cause. Experts warn that prolonged heater use can deplete moisture from the air, exacerbating respiratory conditions like asthma and allergies. To avoid such tragedies, doctors recommend: * Never closing all doors and windows when a heater or brazier is in use * Leaving a heater on all night in a closed room is a critical mistake * Keeping a pot of water in the room can help maintain air moisture * Buying a CO monitoring sensor for your home or rooms * Ensuring all appliances are serviced to prevent gas leakage and electrical faults As the winter chill persists, it's essential to be aware of the dangers of space heaters and take necessary precautions to stay safe.