Students from the Department of Civil Defense and Firefighting at the Oğuzeli Vocational School of Gaziantep University (GAÜN) conducted an awareness campaign for citizens and middle school students on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from stoves.
As part of the Social Awareness Project (TDP), a field study on carbon monoxide poisoning was conducted in Oğuzeli under the coordination of Assistant Professor Celal Bal and Lecturer Mehmet Palabıyık, with the support of the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department, to inform the public.
Noting that while natural gas use is widespread in Oğuzeli, coal is still used in homes, Assistant Professor Celal Bal stated that the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases as the weather gets colder. Academics explained that carbon monoxide is tasteless, colorless, and odorless, which is why it goes unnoticed and is referred to as the “Silent Killer.” They emphasized that the risk of death rises because people are often caught unawares while asleep.
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Şahin, Director of the Oğuzeli Vocational School, stressed that citizens must take the necessary safety precautions against natural gas and stove-related poisonings, and warned that extra caution is needed regarding fatal incidents that occur particularly during the winter months.
During the fieldwork, informational brochures were distributed to residents of Oğuzeli, and questions regarding the issue were answered.
