A tragic incident in Mahean-Ablekuma, a suburb of Accra, has left three people dead after suspected exposure to generator fumes during dumsor.
Among the victims is 19-year-old Florence Naa Kwarley, a recent Senior High School graduate.
Relatives say the generator belonged to Mr. Ofosu Yeboah, who placed it in a locked corridor during a nighttime power outage.
The three victims were asleep when the incident occurred and were later found unresponsive.
Neighbours alerted authorities after they noticed something was wrong. Emergency responders pronounced the three dead at the scene.
Health and safety experts warn that running a petrol or diesel generator in an enclosed or partly enclosed space can be deadly because the exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO).
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can build up quickly in rooms, corridors, garages, or other confined spaces.
When inhaled, CO prevents oxygen from reaching the body’s organs and tissues. Symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea and breathlessness can happen quickly, and high levels can cause loss of consciousness and death within minutes.
Even when a generator is turned off, fumes can linger in poorly ventilated areas, increasing the danger for anyone sleeping or unaware.
Safety officials advise that generators must always be run outdoors, well away from windows, doors and vents, and never inside homes, corridors or enclosed spaces.
They also recommend installing carbon monoxide alarms, ensuring good ventilation and following the manufacturer’s instructions.
