Chongqing - Officials from the city's emergency management bureau, public security bureau, forestry administration, and fire departments held a joint press conference on Monday to call for greater public awareness for confined space emergencies, fire prevention and control, and festive fireworks.

The move is believed to be a response to the recent carbon monoxide poisoning incidence that led to the death of five residents, which aroused heated discussion among the public on the safety of the once-popular coal-burning domestic heaters.

Officials from the city's emergency management bureau, public security bureau, forestry administration, and fire departments attend the press conference.

Zou Yu, an official with the Municipal Emergency Management Bureau, referred to the gas poisoning tragedy as a typical "confined space accident," a term used to describe incidents in a space with limited openings for exit-entry and unfavorable natural ventilation.

These confined spaces are hotbeds for gas poisoning, electric shock, drowning, collapse, and explosion accidents because of their isolation from the outside world, according to Zou.

"As winter approaches downtown Chongqing, many citizens would tightly close their windows and doors as a shield against the cold temperature, thus creating a confined space with poor air ventilation ability," said Zou.

"We urge people to stay alert to the dangers of confined space accidents, especially when using coal-burning or natural gas-based domestic heaters, and always remember to ventilate the room to avoid injuries."

Xiong Zhongwu from the Municipal Forestry Administration also warned citizens against starting forest fires during the upcoming Spring Festival, when burning offerings to ancestors and setting off firecrackers for the lunar New Year are commonly practiced among the public.

Li Bing from the city's public security bureau made a similar statement after Xiong about the dangers and risks of lighting fireworks during the Spring Festival. He listed the areas that strictly forbids the use of fireworks, such as public transport stations, drinking water reservoirs, electricity transmission stations, forests, schools, hospitals, and many other public places that might trigger safety issues. 

Finally, Liu Meimei from the city's fire department called for greater responsibilities of relevant enterprises, factories, and other business entities to implement fire prevention and control measures. Among many other things, she recommended self-reviews for fire risks, regular maintenance for firefighting facilities, safety checks for electricity and gas lines, fire training for staff members, escape drills for emergencies and easier access to public supervision.