Carbon monoxide competes with oxygen for haemoglobin and beats it hundreds of times over — the body suffocates from within while the air around seems normal. The recurring regional story: barbecue or shisha charcoal inside a closed space.

In short — what to do

  1. Get everyone out to open air immediately — this step before anything else.
  2. Open doors and windows on the way out if possible without delay.
  3. Turn off the source (charcoal, heater, generator) only if quick and safe.
  4. Call 998 — CO poisoning needs high-flow oxygen and may need monitoring, even if everyone improves outdoors.
  5. Someone not breathing? CPR immediately, in open air.
  6. Don't re-enter until fully ventilated and the source removed.

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Out to fresh air first, everything else second — and never charcoal indoors
Out to fresh air first, everything else second — and never charcoal indoors
The full details

When to suspect it

  • Headache, nausea and dizziness in more than one person in the same place — the classic sign.
  • "Flu without fever" that improves outside the house and returns inside.
  • Unexplained drowsiness, confusion, or fainting where something burns.

What to do

  1. Get everyone out to open air immediately — this step before anything else.
  2. Open doors and windows on the way out if possible without delay.
  3. Turn off the source (charcoal, heater, generator) only if quick and safe.
  4. Call 998 — CO poisoning needs high-flow oxygen and may need monitoring, even if everyone improves outdoors.
  5. Someone not breathing? CPR immediately, in open air.
  6. Don't re-enter until fully ventilated and the source removed.

Watch out

  • A pregnant woman is always assessed even if she improves — the fetus is far more sensitive to the gas.
  • Any loss of consciousness, chest pain, or confusion = mandatory emergency assessment.
  • Symptoms can return hours or days later (delayed syndrome) — quick improvement doesn't cancel the check-up.

Prevention for pennies

One rule protects the family: no combustion in a closed space, ever — no charcoal, no shisha coals, no generator. And a CO detector costs a meal… it sleeps on your ceiling and never sleeps on you.

This content is for general health education only and is not medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 998.

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