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As the cold weather sets in, the sale of geysers increases rapidly across the country, but along with this, the risk of incidents like suffocation and electrocution in bathrooms also increases. Recently, in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a 12-year-old girl tragically died from suffocation while a gas geyser was running inside the bathroom. Similarly, in Deoria, a woman lost her life due to electrocution while plugging in a geyser. Every year, several such cases are reported in states like Kerala, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttarakhand, where people faint while bathing and it's often too late by the time they are taken to the hospital.

How do these deaths occur?

According to experts, the biggest reason for these accidents is the use of gas geysers inside the bathroom and the lack of proper ventilation. Gas geysers, whether LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) or PNG (Piped Natural Gas), produce carbon monoxide (CO) gas when burning fuel. This colorless and odorless gas displaces oxygen in the body. Within minutes, symptoms such as dizziness, rapid breathing, blurred vision, and then unconsciousness can occur. If help is not received in time, death due to oxygen deprivation can occur within 8 to 15 minutes.

Which geysers are dangerous?

Many types of geysers are available in the market, but experts believe that gas geysers are the most dangerous because they produce CO gas when the fuel burns. Compared to this, electric geysers pose less risk of this gas, but they are prone to incidents like overheating, explosions, and electric shocks. Accidents mostly occur when people take long showers, the bathroom is completely closed, and there is no ventilation. Many people also do not get their geysers serviced for years, which further increases the risk.

How to protect yourself:
Experts believe that about 95% of accidents can be prevented by taking some precautions. Install an exhaust fan in the bathroom to ensure proper ventilation. Always turn on the exhaust fan while bathing.

Do not keep the geyser running continuously for a long time; turn it off after use. Do not allow children and elderly people to go into the bathroom alone, as they may not realize the symptoms of dizziness or shortness of breath until it's too late.

The geyser flame should always be blue. A yellow flame means the gas is not burning properly and poisonous CO is being produced. If you have a gas geyser at home, you should definitely install a carbon monoxide detector, which costs approximately Rs. 800 to 1200. It sounds an alarm as soon as the level of this poisonous gas rises.
Know about leakage from bathroom geyser, know preventive measures

What to do in such a situation?

If someone is found unconscious in the bathroom, immediately break down the door and take the person to an open area. Loosen their clothes, check their nose and mouth... Clear the airway and administer CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if you know how. Immediately call 108 for an ambulance and take the person to the nearest hospital.