A ten-year-old boy was taken to hospital in Ixelles on Thursday evening with carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication, caused by the poor discharge of combustion gases from a water heater in the bathroom, the Brussels Fire Brigade reports. The boy is not in mortal danger.
The incident took place on Thursday evening around 22:40 in Rue Van Eyck in Ixelles, near Abbaye de la Cambre. A resident called the emergency services because the CO detector in his home had gone off.
The man had opened the windows of his home in the meantime, preventing the situation from getting worse. Upon arrival, the fire brigade found very high CO levels in the ceiling of the bathroom, caused by the poor drainage of the combustion gases from the water heater.
The family’s son was found to be intoxicated by the CO and was taken to the hospital for treatment. He is not in mortal danger.
Prevention is key
Fire Brigade Spokesperson Walter Derieuw highlights the preventive measures to be taken to avoid CO intoxication: ensure the supply of fresh air and ventilation, have an approved appliance installed by a recognized technician and have a technician carry out the obligatory checks and regular maintenance.
“The discharge of combustion gases must also be carried out in accordance with and be checked. Also, pay attention to the CO warnings of the RMI,” Derieuw said.
