Four people from an Adelaide household who used a charcoal barbecue inside to keep warm have narrowly escaped death from carbon monoxide poisoning, the Metropolitan Fire Service says.
MFS and ambulance crews were called to a unit on Riverside Drive at Bedford Park at about 1.30am.
Two men and two women, aged in their 20s and 30s, had brought a charcoal brazier loaded with heat beads inside to keep warm.
Witnesses reported one of the women screamed for help when she could not rouse the others.
MFS station officer Wayne Trezise said it was just "sheer luck" the woman woke up enough to raise the alarm.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus evacuated the remaining occupants who were in a semi-conscious state and suffering from nose bleeds.
They were all immediately put on to oxygen.
Mr Trezise said the occupants would have been overcome by the products of combustion within minutes of bringing the charcoal brazier inside and quickly fallen asleep.
"They wouldn't realise it, they would feel warm for a while and they would feel sleepy and then they would sleep, and they won't wake up," he said.
"It wouldn't be until a loved one has tried to contact them, and they wouldn't answer their door."
'Multiple layers of clothing will keep you warm'
Earlier this week a family of six Iranian refugees was rushed to hospital in Sydney after a similar incident where they used a charcoal barbecue inside to keep warm.
Mr Trezise said it was sad people were resorting to bringing outdoor appliances inside amid soaring electricity prices.
"All of these external barbecue devices — they all indicate 'do not use the barbecue indoors' — it's a killer.
"We can't stress anymore; you must not do this. This is very, very foolish behaviour.
"I feel for everyone who is suffering, but multiple layers of clothing will keep you warm."
Carbon monoxide poisoning is known as the 'silent killer' because it has no smell, taste or colour.
Health authorities warn that babies, young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions are most vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning.
According to SA Health, symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include persistent tiredness and sleepiness, shortness of breath, headaches, nausea, vomiting, weakness, confusion and loss of consciousness.
Calls to lower electricity bills
South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) is calling on the state government to introduce energy efficiency standards for rental properties.
"Energy bills are high in SA, and the winter months are cold. We know that other cost of living pressures are also high, so plenty of people are looking at how to stay warm and not rack up big bills," SACOSS acting CEO Catherine Earl said.
"Aside from cheaper energy bills, one thing that would help is having more energy efficient homes.
"We'd really like to see the state government take the lead on getting more homes to be more energy efficient by bringing in minimum energy efficiency standards for rentals.
"That would be good news for tenants but also a worthwhile investment for landlords."
The state government is funnelling $593 million into a hydrogen hub in Whyalla, which it says will eventually drive down wholesale electricity prices.
