"Silent Killer" Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Threatens Late Autumn Campers

Using Charcoal and Heaters Inside Enclosed Tents Is Extremely Dangerous

There have been incidents of death due to carbon monoxide poisoning after falling asleep with heating devices turned on. Photo is not related to the specific content of the article.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] There have been a series of tragic accidents where campers who went camping turned on heating devices and fell asleep, resulting in death from carbon monoxide poisoning. Using charcoal or heaters inside a sealed tent poses risks of fire and poisoning accidents, so special caution is required.

According to the Gwangju Fire and Police on the 20th, a man in his 40s, Mr. A, who was camping at a campsite in Buk-gu, Gwangju, was found dead around 10:30 a.m. the previous day. Investigations revealed that he died from carbon monoxide poisoning after turning on a heating device and sleeping due to the cold weather. The minimum temperature that morning was 4.9 degrees Celsius.

This is not the first carbon monoxide poisoning accident. In March, a couple in their 50s camping on Yeongheungdo, Incheon, lit charcoal inside their tent and fell asleep, resulting in the husband’s death and the wife sustaining serious injuries from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is called the "silent killer" because it is invisible and odorless. When it enters the body, it causes hypoxia and is a toxic substance harmful to the human body even in small amounts. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, and difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, it can lead to death due to respiratory failure.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety urged special caution on the 18th regarding accidents caused by carbon monoxide poisoning when using heating devices during camping. In particular, using charcoal or heaters inside a sealed tent can cause fire and poisoning accidents, so it is recommended to maintain body temperature by using thermal products such as sleeping bags while sleeping. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning accidents, it is advised to use a brazier when making a campfire, sprinkle water on the surrounding ground before lighting a fire to prevent fire hazards, and ensure no embers remain after finishing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.