Why sleep in cars is deadly?

Experts say that in less than an hour, people can die from carbon monoxide poisoning (CO) in cars.

Many people have a habit of taking a nap or taking a short nap in a car . According to Gulfnews, General Department of Crime Security, Dubai Police, recommends that this is an extremely dangerous habit. Carbon monoxide (CO) builds up in a car that can make you suffocate in less than an hour.

Dr Babu Shershad, the first Medical Center in Dubai, said that when closing cars to sleep inside, the oxygen level (O ₂ ) inside the car will decrease. In contrast, carbon monoxide (CO) accumulation due to emissions leaks will increase. This is a gas very toxic to blood. Increasing the concentration of CO in the car will reduce the amount of O ₂ entering the blood, leading to shock or sudden death.

Sleeping in enclosed spaces reduces the body's oxygen level, a high risk of suffocation.(Photo: Cheap Car Insurance)

'Even in the case of a car equipped with an air circulation system (AC) that works well, people who sleep in closed spaces can still be in danger,' Dr Shershad said. "Breathing in an enclosed space even if the air flow into and out of the vehicle is not enough. The air is likely to be trapped in the circulation process, increasing the level of carbon monoxide and reducing oxygen levels." Depending on the mechanical features of the vehicle, the CO emissions will be different, causing the sleeper to breathe quickly or slowly.

The common misconception of many people is to open a window to ventilate when sleeping. Dr Shershad said: "Even when opening windows, CO still accumulates at a lower level, reducing the amount of oxygen in the blood, causing people in the car to lose fluid and body water after a while." Dehydration of the body is like a wet cloth that gets dry when left in a car.

Many people wonder, what is the difference between driving cars for hours when cars are closed and when people sleep in cars?

Dr Shershad said, when driving for a long time, you are aware of the temperature in the car as well as any possible gas leaks to regulate your body. People will tend to find windows if they start feeling suffocated or need a fresh air. Conversely, sleeping inside a car, you cannot perceive the temperature, so your body is more likely to accumulate heat and CO.

Experts recommend people avoid sleeping in cars, except in emergencies. Zubair Sharif, service consultant at Max garage, advises people to check the air conditioning feature (AC) of the car every 6 months. A leaked AC will not cool properly or take longer time to start cooling. This situation warns the risk that the cooling system will start or stop randomly, causing the temperature to spike twice or three times the ambient temperature, which is hazardous to health.