Emergency services were called to an apartment in Vienna-Leopoldstadt on Tuesday evening for a carbon monoxide emergency, likely due to an improperly installed portable air conditioner. A 13-year-old girl collapsed while taking a shower, and her 15-year-old brother may have raised the alarm. He also needed care.
Emergency services were called to the apartment near Obere Donaustrasse around 12:15 p.m. According to Corina Had, spokeswoman for the professional rescue service, the CO alarms sounded when entering the apartment and warned of the danger. Emergency services immediately removed the teenagers from the apartment.
Bub saved his sister
The girl did not respond at first. Oxygen was given to her on the spot. The 13-year-old and the boy, who must have rushed to help his sister in the bathroom, received emergency medical attention and were taken to hospital. A third person was also present in the apartment, according to firefighters spokesman Lukas Schauer. This did not have to be taken care of by the rescue.
Particular danger of mobile air conditioners
In the APA interview, Schauer urgently pointed to the danger of improperly installed portable air conditioning units, as well as bathroom and toilet fans. Mobile air conditioners extract room air that gas stoves need for combustion. This can create a strong negative pressure.
“Extracting room air can cause exhaust fumes from a thermal bath to be drawn into the living room and cause carbon monoxide poisoning,” Schauer warned. If you intend to purchase such appliances, you should coordinate this with the responsible chimney sweep.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
