NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The New Taipei City Fire Department advised residents on Friday (Jan. 10) to maintain ventilation while heating to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning as the city braces for a significant cold spell. With the approach of a strong continental air mass, many areas in Taiwan have seen temperatures dipping below 10 degrees Celsius.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA, 氣象署) issued an orange cold-weather alert at 10:34 a.m., warning of extremely cold conditions in areas including New Taipei City. Lo Kai-wen (羅凱文), head of the First Disaster Rescue and Emergency Medical Services Brigade (第一救災救護大隊), said the Xikun Branch (溪崑) firefighters proactively educated the public on fire and carbon monoxide safety at a local recycling station.
Lo noted that firefighters took advantage of residents waiting in line for recycling to stress the importance of installing residential fire alarms, particularly targeting the elderly. The Fire Department emphasized that the recent cold weather often leads people to keep windows and doors tightly shut, increasing the risk of poisoning when using gas water heaters due to insufficient ventilation.
As the cold weather persists, officials urge residents to remain vigilant about ventilation conditions to ensure safety.