subject: Gas Boiler Safety - What You Need to KNow [print this page] Gas Boiler Safety - What You Need to KNow
Do you know enough about carbon monoxide poisoning and gas boiler danger signs to keep your family safe and alive? The below advice will provide you with some very useful information.
Carbon monoxide is an odourless and tasteless poisonous gas which can be given off by gas boilers and other heating appliances. On average 50 people every year are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of faulty boilers and other heating appliances such as gas fires.
Unfortunately for many unlucky families deaths by carbon monoxide poisoning can be easily avoided. The most common reasons for carbon monoxide poisoning are poor gas boiler maintenance or ventilation, which leads to a build up in gas. For example, an old flue can leak gas into a house or a chimney can become blocked due to nesting birds. In either case having your boiler inspected and maintained on a regular basis really can be the difference between life and death.
How do people die from faulty gas boilers?
A little known fact is more people die from faulty boilers in owner occupied homes than they do in rented accommodation. The reason for this is because by law annual checks must be carried out by a licensed Gas Safe engineer on an annual basis, whereas owner occupiers are less inclined to pay for boiler checks. Having your boiler checked professionally on regular basis can help ensure your heating system is properly ventilated and there is nothing faulty.
Gas Boiler Warning Signs
Gas flames burn orange or yellow instead of blue. Check your cooker hob & pilot light
Check that the room where the gas boiler is kept is properly ventilated
The chimney or flue is blocked and you can see smoke in the room
Early symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, headaches and chest pains
It is not just boilers which are dangerous, gas fires or any other heating appliance which burns fossil fuels can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
Any kind of heating appliance must have adequate ventilation. Do not block ventilation outlets or flues.
If you move home check when your boiler was last serviced. A boiler should always be checked and maintained by a Gas Safe qualified engineer.
You should always have a British Standard BS 7860 carbon monoxide detector fitted
gas boiler and heating appliance safety is one of the most important things in any household. Keeping your family safe is relatively easy, you do not need to be one of the 50 people a year that die of carbon monoxide poisoning. All you have to do is take the necessary regular precautions and ensure your heating system is regularly checked and maintained by a Gas Safe engineer.
