Silent Killer: Beware of Generator Fumes Danger

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Kunle Emmanuel
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Silent Killer: Beware of Generator Fumes Danger

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Nigerians now rely on electric generators for powering their homes and businesses. This has led to an upsurge in the use of generators. Poor awareness on how to use a generator has led to deaths from generator fumes. The reports are almost always similar: people go to bed with their generator on and the next morning they are dead. “It is a silent epidemic. Nobody hears anything, nobody feels anything. It just happens,” In the last six months, no fewer than 30 people have been reported dead across the country as a result of poisoning from generator fumes.

Given the epileptic power supply by the PHCN, many have had to rely on power generating sets of different kinds with particular one that is known as "I-better–pass-my-neighbour". In some cases, an entire family has been wiped out through inhalation of dangerous fumes from their generating sets. This is because there is hardly a home, particularly in urban areas, without such a generating set.

Yet despite the noise and pollution from these generators, they have become necessary nuisance in many homes. They provide “emergency” power for lights, fans, fridges, television to video games. The rising death toll through carbon monoxide poisoning can therefore be attributed to the fact that majority of Nigerians generate their own energy, but mostly without taking the necessary precautions.

Exhaust from the generating sets contains carbon monoxide, a dangerous, invisible, odourless and colourless gas. When inhaled, carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the tissues. The tell–tale signs on the victim are dizziness, nausea, headache, even confusion, symptoms mistakenly attributed to too much alcohol or sun.
The carbon monoxide fumes emitted by generators are fatal, often without the victims, who are mostly asleep, knowing or realising the danger. It also has long-term hazards as a possible cause of lung cancer.


Safety Precautions on using generators at home
Never run a generator inside your house, in a passage or corridor or in any area where ventilation is limited and people or animals are present.

Generator should be use outside, and away from your window, and NEVER in an enclosed place.

Generator must be operated outside the main building with its exhaust pipe facing the open air (not the wall).

Also, ensure that the windows on the opposite side to the side closer to the generator are open. This will ensure an inflow of fresh air into your home.

Remember that fumes from your neighbours’ generators can also harm you so ensure that your neighbours’ generators are no threat to your precious life. So make sure your neighbours’ generators are mounted in a safe place.

Naija Nurses Forum feels the general public should be adequately enlightened on the danger of using generators, and how they can be safely used, mostly at homes. Hardly does a week pass without a news item or two about how whole families were wiped out by generator fumes, so be smart with generators they can also be dangerous if applied wrongly.

Save a family, your friends and beloved ones from painful and very cheap deaths by sharing this message.
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