A tragic incident in Port Harcourt has claimed the lives of a couple, who succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning after running a generator inside their apartment. Hobnob News reports on the fatal consequences of inadequate generator safety.
The couple, whose identities have not been released, resorted to using a generator during a power outage and heavy rainfall. According to eyewitness James, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), they placed the generator in the passage of their apartment, seemingly believing it wouldn’t affect them in their bedroom.
Concerned neighbors raised alarm on Saturday morning when the couple failed to emerge from their room. After repeated knocks went unanswered, they forced entry into the apartment, discovering the couple’s lifeless bodies. The incident was subsequently reported to the Central Police Station in Port Harcourt Township.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the deaths, attributing them to carbon monoxide inhalation. The couple’s bodies have been deposited at a morgue.
Dr. Chinazor Offor, a Port Harcourt-based medical practitioner, explained the deadly effects of carbon monoxide. The gas displaces oxygen from hemoglobin, leading to heart and respiratory failure. “If a person is exposed for between five to 15 minutes, the heart ceases to pump blood, which ultimately affects both the brain and respiratory system,” she warned.
Dr. Offor strongly advised the public against placing generators near living spaces, emphasizing the importance of positioning them far from homes to prevent exposure to the toxic fumes.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with generator use, particularly in poorly ventilated areas. Hobnob News urges readers to prioritize safety and adhere to recommended guidelines when operating generators.
