Fire and Rescue NSW has warned of the dangers of bringing outdoor heaters inside after a Sydney family was rushed to a hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning on Monday morning.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The family of five from Cabramatta in Sydney's south-west had fallen ill after using a barbecue charcoal burner inside an apartment.
They were taken to Liverpool Hospital in a stable condition around 2am on June 3.
These cases are common in winter every year, but not everyone is as lucky as this family, said FRNSW Community Safety and Research Chief Superintendent Mick Morris.
"In past years we've seen fatalities," he said.
"No outdoor fires can be brought inside."
Outdoor heaters, including those that use heat beads or LPG as a fuel source, are designed to be used in well-ventilated areas, Chief Superintendent Morris said.
Bringing them inside runs the risk of causing carbon monoxide poisoning, he said.
"As we've seen overnight, this was a lucky escape for the family but it could have been disastrous," he said.
Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue, according to the NSW Health website.
These symptoms can rapidly lead to unconsciousness, Chief Superintendent Morris said.
"It's an odourless, colourless gas that can risk life," he said.
"We always encourage everyone to contact their local station if they have any questions about heaters or fire safety. We do have a home fire safety check program."