Raising Awareness of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
When was the last time you had your appliances checked?
With the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis, it's easy to forget the less obvious issues that need attention in the home. We would like to remind people of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide gas and what you can do to safeguard against it. With people under huge budgetary pressures, installing a carbon monoxide detector and ensuring your devices are regularly serviced and maintained is not always an affordable option.
To tackle this, our service offers free access to these devices and free high-quality advice for keeping your household safe.
Carbon Monoxide, or the 'silent killer', is undetectable to our senses.
It has no colour, taste or scent and can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and confusion. Should someone experience these symptoms, 82% are unlikely to consider Carbon Monoxide poisoning as the possible cause. Headaches and nausea are the two most common signs of exposure to the poisonous gas and are often mistaken for cold and flu symptoms or a hangover.
We recommend people familiarize themselves with these symptoms so that they can recognize them in themselves and the people they live with so that they can act quickly and avoid significant and avoidable risk to people’s health. Take note, the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide may improve if the affected person is removed from the affected area, however, symptoms may come and go. If you think there is immediate danger, call the Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999 or the contact number on your bulk storage vessel or meter. You can also visit the NHS website for detailed information on the symptoms of CO poisoning, what action to take and the treatment that’s usually provided.
Carbon monoxide can leak from any gas, oil, or solid fuel appliances such boilers, cookers, heaters and fires which have not been installed correctly or have been poorly maintained.
5.5 Million homes in the UK are known to have unsafe gas appliances, and only 47% of people own an audible carbon monoxide alarm. Gas Safe Register recommends that you only use a Gas Safe registered engineer to maintain and install your gas, oil or solid fuel appliances and that you have them checked at least once a year. Always check your appliances for signs of disrepair and keep an eye out for condensation appearing around the room. When using an appliance, you should see crisp blue flames rather than lazy yellow ones.
