Sleeping in cars with its engine running in closed spaces can be fatal

Abu Dhabi: Sleeping inside parked cars for a long time in a closed space with engine running and windows fully or partially closed can cause sudden death, authorities warned on Tuesday.

Toxic carbon monoxide (CO) emitted from the car can enter inside the car in such circumstances and cause death of passengers sleeping inside, said a press release issued by the Department of Forensic Medicine in the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.

The warning message asked car owners to avoid such circumstances and not to leave children inside cars for a long time, especially when the car is parked in indoor areas and its engine is running.

The carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas and it is called ‘the silent killer. It is dangerous because being colourless and odourless, its presence cannot be identified inside the car. People may fall asleep when they inhale it. When they further inhale the gas, it may affect breath, stop the heart functioning, and eventually lead to death.

The authority said several deaths were reported after people slept themselves or left children unattended inside parked cars in fully or partially closed spaces for a long time.