A family of 5 in Bohui city of Anhui province in China, was poisoned by the incense of more than 20 mosquito coils after using them overnight to beat the insect's bite.

According to a report on July 18, 2017, by the official Weixin account of Bohui city government's Internet Information Office, the family is now undergoing medical treatment at a local hospital.

The family, which operates a small shop, had been sleeping in the shop that night. As it was summer time and there were many mosquitoes, the shop operator had used more than 20 of them throughout the night in the enclosed space.

When the whole family woke up the next morning, they felt acute discomfort and dizziness. The shop operator's wife and three kids also experienced different degrees of breathlessness.

The family tried to go the hospital for treatment on their own. But on the way there, they had to call the police for assistance due to the seriousness of their conditions.

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Mosquito coils are used widely in Asia, Africa and South America. It is an efficient mosquito repellent because of its low cost and long lasting effects.

However, without ventilation, it can result in smoke inhalation that can be equal to inhaling cigarette smoke. Different mosquito coil manufacturers also use different ingredients to produce their products, and some may even have active substances that are very potent and can cause one to get sick.

There are actually other options to keep away mosquitoes, including electric mosquito repellers, mosquito nets, regular spray mosquito repellents and even mosquito foggers.

But for those who still prefer mosquito coils, here's some advice on its safe use:

Top image composite image via Bohui city government