Know what happens when coal is left burning overnight inside a house?

A coal fire kept burning inside a room for space heating has once again proved fatal in the village of Alipur under Harike police station in Tarn Taran, leading to the death of three people, including an infant.

The deceased have been identified as 19-year-old Arshdeep Singh, 18-year-old Jashandeep Kaur, and a one-and-a-half-month-old infant, Gurbaz Singh.

All three died in their sleep while coal burned inside a container placed at a short distance from their bed.

A 10-year-old child, identified as Krishan Singh, has been admitted to a hospital in serious condition. At present, it is not known how he is related to the deceased.

What happens when coal is left burning overnight inside a house?

Burning coal in a closed or poorly ventilated room releases carbon monoxide (CO). CO is colorless, odorless, and invisible, so people don’t realize it’s present. 
While sleeping, people inhale CO, which replaces oxygen in the blood. Carbon monoxide makes one feel sleepy, dizzy, or unconscious. People don’t wake up to escape because CO suppresses the brain’s oxygen supply. This can lead to suffocation and death within hours.

Infants and children are more susceptible due to their smaller lungs and bodies, and therefore are at a higher risk. 
Incidents are rife in winter, when doors and windows are shut to keep warm.

What you should or should not do:
Never keep coal or charcoal burning indoors overnight. Always ensure proper ventilation even when awake. Use electric heaters instead of coal 'angithis'. Install carbon monoxide detectors if possible. 

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