The tragic Pandhrethan incident, where five family members lost their lives due to suffocation, has sparked an ongoing debate in the valley about the need for efficient and safe heating systems during the harsh winter. These deaths have drawn public attention to the dangers of unsafe heating methods and the lack of awareness about preventive measures. In an interview with Rising Kashmir’s Health Correspondent, M Peerzada, Dr. Suhail Naik, Senior Paediatrician at Children’s Hospital Srinagar, speaks about measures for the safe use of heating systems, especially to protect children during the winter season.
What are suffocation deaths?
Suffocation deaths involve situations where oxygen is unavailable or reduced or carbon monoxide or dioxide is increased resulting in asphyxiation, and are a significant cause of deaths in India.
Many deaths in Kashmir during winters occur due to gas heating as it consumes room oxygen and produces carbon monoxide and dioxide during combustion.
Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) is a common cause of suffocation. It occurs when individuals inhale CO gas, which is colorless and odorless but dangerous as it binds to hemoglobin in the blood, preventing the body from transporting oxygen. Sources include faulty gas appliances, coal or wood-burning stoves, and vehicle emissions.
During harsh winters, parents often seal living room ventilation and use gas heaters or similar heating sources, which can lead to silent and fatal outcomes.
The word sweet death means that all family members wouldn’t be able to get up and switch off gas heater, as mixing of carbon monoxide with red blood cells cause brain hypoxia, deep sleep and judgemental error and death.
In the ongoing Chilla Kalan, there is a possibility that newborns and infants can die due to hypothermia, if proper heating arrangements are not in place.
Therefore people are bound to use some traditional and modern methods of heating systems. People must understand that using electrical heating systems are safe than using heating arrangements based on gas and combustion.
Many times, entire families have tragically died due to suffocation, as seen in incidents like Bemina in 2019, Kupwara, and the recent Pandhrethan tragedy, where five family members lost their lives.
People use different heating arrangements in this extremely cold weather. How can they ensure they are safe?
In cold weather, people use various traditional and modern heating arrangements and methods to stay warm. However, it is important to prioritize safety to avoid potential hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, and burns.
We can’t ask people to use heating arrangements which are safe but costly. The most disastrous thing which is the root cause of death during harsh winters is poverty and we must accept this reality.
First of all we must ensure that everyone living in our neighborhood has a proper shelter. There are adequate clothes and blankets to keep themselves warm. Then people should ensure that there is proper ventilation and heating arrangements.
Never use a gas heater or stove indoors unless specifically and scientifically designed for that purpose. It is better to use traditional Kangri instead of these deadly carbon monoxide-producing gas heaters.
Electric heating equipment is generally safe, but regular inspection for defects is advised. People should turn off electric blankets before sleeping, and switch off space heaters or other heating devices when leaving the room to reduce fire risks. Additionally, it’s important to check traditional Hamams for any leaks into the room.
What safety measures are essential to prevent deaths due to suffocation?
Avoid heating systems that can be fatal and disastrous—never risk your family’s safety. Such tragedies deeply affect humanity. It is crucial to ensure proper room ventilation, especially when using heaters or gas appliances, to allow fresh air circulation and prevent the build-up of harmful gases like carbon monoxide.
Never sleep in enclosed spaces like cars or small rooms without proper air circulation, as these can quickly become hazardous. Regularly inspect appliances like heaters, stoves, and ovens to ensure they’re functioning properly and not leaking gas. Always switch off gas heaters, blowers, and electric blankets before going to bed.
Is the callous attitude of the family or poor knowledge a reason?
Neither callous attitude nor poor knowledge, the main reason behind such incidents is poverty. The rich people use the highest standards of heating arrangements like air conditioner and centrally fitted heating or Hamam. Many of them migrate to Jammu or Delhi. It is poverty which forces a family to use dangerous heating arrangements.
Many elderly women or mothers keep their newborn children under Pheran with Kangri, is it safe for children?
Kangri has saved the people of Kashmir from prehistoric times and is sweet a tradition. Keeping a baby inside a Pheran with Kangri should be avoided as lungs of baby are immature, the surface area is small and the baby breaths sixty times in one minute. But there is no data or research from where a consensus guideline will be generated to give objective guidelines to people.
People also use electric blankets during the night when they fall asleep along with kids. Is it not dangerous or fatal?
It can prove disastrous, as overheating can increase the resistance of the heating coil and subsequent short circuit, electric shock and cardiac arrest. I request people to switch off their electric blankets before attempting to go to sleep.
How can a poor man keep himself and his family safe in winter?
Harsh winter is trouble for people as it can cause death due to hypothermia if proper measures are not taken on one hand and suffocation if wrong heating measures are taken on the other hand. During harsh winters people should wear multiple layers of clothes and take care of room ventilation, keep themselves warm, keep rooms warm, eat healthy food, and stay indoors as much as possible.
