Space Heaters Turn ‘Silent Killers’ as Winter Deaths Mount Across North India

As biting winter cold grips North India, space heaters and traditional braziers have emerged as “silent killers,” triggering a spate of fatal incidents across Delhi, Punjab, Bihar, and Jammu and Kashmir over the past month.

The latest tragedy was reported from Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, where a young couple and their month-old infant died of asphyxiation after sleeping in a closed room with a burning brazier. Police said the incident occurred on Sunday, January 11, when fumes built up due to the lack of ventilation.

Coal-based desi heaters are not the only cause of concern. From electric blowers to room heaters, various heating devices used to combat the harsh winter have led to deaths from suffocation, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heater-related fires in recent weeks.

Trail of Tragedies

From Delhi’s high-rise apartments to remote hamlets in Bihar and the Kashmir Valley, improper use of heaters and traditional braziers has claimed entire families in their sleep.

In Delhi’s Mukundpur area, a family of three—Ajay Vimal (45), an engineer with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), his wife Neelam (38), and their 10-year-old daughter Jahnvi—were killed in a fire last Tuesday. According to police, a room heater may have exploded or caused a short circuit, filling the room with smoke and rendering the family unconscious before the fire spread. Neighbours found the victims lying on their bed with no signs of struggle.

In Bihar’s Gayaji district, a 60-year-old woman, Meena Devi, and her two grandchildren aged six and five died of suffocation after an angeethi was lit in a closed room to keep warm.

A similar tragedy unfolded in Tarn Taran, Punjab, where Arshdeep Singh (21), his wife Jashandeep Kaur (20), and their month-old infant Gurbaz Singh lost their lives under comparable circumstances.

In Srinagar, a chef identified as Aijaz Ahmad Bhat (37), his wife, and their three children—including a 28-day-old infant—were found dead in their rented accommodation. Authorities said an electric blower was found in the room and suspected asphyxiation due to poor ventilation.

Why Heaters Become ‘Silent Killers’

Medical experts describe carbon monoxide (CO) as a “silent killer” because it is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, making it nearly impossible to detect without alarms.

Dr Naveed Nazir Shah, head of Srinagar’s Chest Disease Hospital, told The Hindu that heating devices powered by gas, wood, or coal consume oxygen in enclosed spaces, leading to the accumulation of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Victims often remain unaware of the danger, experiencing dizziness, headaches, and fatigue before losing consciousness.

A 15-year retrospective study led by AIIMS New Delhi researcher Rajesh Kumar found that 95% of carbon monoxide–related deaths occurred during winter, with coal-burning devices in poorly ventilated rooms being the leading cause.

Risks Beyond Carbon Monoxide

Doctors also warn of additional health hazards linked to prolonged heater use. Dr Ambrish Kumar Garg, senior consultant at Narayana Hospital, Jaipur, told Dainik Bhaskar that extended use of heaters dries out indoor air, leading to irritation of the nose, throat, and skin. This can worsen respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies and, in extreme cases, contribute to serious complications.

How to Stay Safe

Experts recommend the following precautions to prevent such tragedies:

• Never close all doors and windows when using a heater or brazier

• Avoid leaving heaters on overnight in closed rooms

• Keep a bowl or pot of water to maintain indoor humidity

• Install carbon monoxide monitoring sensors at home

• Ensure regular servicing of electrical and fuel-based appliances

As temperatures continue to drop, authorities and doctors are urging the public to exercise caution, warning that a lack of awareness around heater safety is turning winter warmth into a deadly hazard.