A devastating incident has claimed the lives of a young woman, Miss Favour Uduak Smith, and her boyfriend in Calabar, Cross River State.
The couple reportedly died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning after inhaling toxic fumes from a generator kept inside their room.
The heartbreaking event unfolded at a residence along Poultry Farm Road, situated in the Calabar South Local Government Area.
According to local reports, the young man had recently rented a new apartment and invited Miss Favour Uduak Smith to stay with him.
Following a sudden public power outage during the night, he reportedly turned on a portable generator.
In a fatal oversight, the generator was left running inside the enclosed room before the couple retired to bed for the night.
Tragedy was discovered the following morning when neighbours found both individuals lifeless. The toxic emissions had accumulated in the unventilated room overnight, leaving them with no chance of escape.
The lethal nature of the exhaust was further underscored by the discovery of the couple’s newly purchased puppy, which also succumbed to the fumes.
While emergency responders evacuated the bodies of the young couple to a local mortuary, empathetic neighbours buried the puppy within the compound.
The silent killer: Understanding carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide ($CO$) is a completely colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas. When generators are run in enclosed spaces, $CO$ builds up rapidly, replacing the oxygen in the bloodstream and causing victims to lose consciousness and pass away quietly in their sleep.
Essential generator safety tips to prevent toxic inhalation
As public power grid instability causes millions of Nigerians to rely heavily on fuel-powered generators, safety experts repeatedly emphasise strict operational guidelines to prevent avoidable deaths:
Never operate a generator indoors: This includes rooms, balconies, corridors, basements, or inside a garage, even if windows are left open.
Maintain safe distance: Always place the generator outside, at a minimum distance of 20 feet away from any windows, doors, or vents that lead into the house.
Direct the exhaust away: Ensure the exhaust pipe points completely away from the residential structure.
Install carbon monoxide alarms: Where feasible, battery-operated $CO$ alarms should be installed in sleeping areas to provide an early warning signal.
Local authorities continue to urge residents to prioritise safety over convenience when handling alternative power sources to avoid a recurrence of such devastating loss.
