POLOKWANE – The police in Mankweng have opened two inquest cases following the deaths of two people at Maribishing village, Ga-Mothiba, outside Polokwane.

Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed the incident to Review and said the police were summoned to the scene where the bodies of Elizabeth Rasefate (30) and her one-year-old son, Masekotle were found laying on the floor.

Mojapelo said they suspect that they may have inhaled smoke from a braai, believed to be used as a heater due to the cold weather.

“Her husband was rescued and taken to hospital for treatment. Police investigations are continuing,” he added.

OneAid suggests that people should keep a window slightly open when a fire is made inside the house. “This will help prevent the room filling up with smoke. It also prevents the build up of carbon monoxide (CO). It may seem counter-productive to keep a window open when you are trying to keep your home warm, but this is extremely important if you are burning a fuel, such as gas, paraffin, coal or wood to generate heat,” they explain.

OneAid explains carbon monoxide (CO) as a colourless and odourless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of these carbon-containing fuels. “When there is too much CO in the air, your body replaces the oxygen attached to red blood cells in the blood, with carbon monoxide.”

They say this is because the affinity between haemoglobin (Hb) (in the red blood cells) and carbon monoxide is much stronger than the affinity between Hb and oxygen.

“This can be extremely dangerous and lead to hypoxia, irreversible brain damage and eventually death. If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, you need to move the victim into fresh air, either by opening all the doors and windows or getting the person outside. This will allow oxygen to start displacing the carbon monoxide. Definitive management is, however, in hospital with high flow 100% oxygen so you need to call an ambulance right away,” they added.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness