The dangers of sleeping in a parked car with engine running
Re: "Exhaust fumes likely killed mother, child", National, October 22.
The deaths of a woman and her five-year-old son, who were found unconscious in a car with the engine and air-conditioner still running, were tragic but perhaps avoidable.
A police simulation of the incident revealed that toxic gas inside the vehicle could have caused the deaths through any of the following failures.
1. The connection between muffler and exhaust pipe was faulty, meaning carbon monoxide would have pooled under the vehicle rather than being channelled to the outside.
2. Replacing of the specially designed rubber stopper, which seals the hole in the centre of the spare tyre, with a glued rubber sheet that allows the poisonous gas to seep into the car.
3. A malfunction of sensors for exhaust elimination, which send signals to the ECU (Electronics Control Unit).
Any of these failures can result in a parked car’s occupants being gassed to death within a few minutes.
To prevent such tragedies, check for the smell of exhaust fumes while parking and starting the engine, and take heed of any symptoms of dizziness or exhaustion. Having your vehicle serviced regularly can also help minimise the chances of toxic gas leaking into the car.
But the most important thing is to avoid sleeping in a parked car with the engine and air-conditioner running.
Sutipunt Bongsununt
