subject: How To Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning [print this page] The reality is; carbon monoxide (CO) claims the lives of people every year! Its an extremely dangerous gas, so its important to know the facts! Heres a short health and safety guide that should help protect you and your family from this lethal substance.
Arrange a gas safety check once a year
First and foremost, its essential to have all gas appliances checked once a year by a Gas Safe Register approved engineer. A highly-trained workman will make sure everythings working properly and will check the installation of each product. If they cant fix an issue straight away, theyll follow the guidance outlined in the Gas Industry Unsafe Situations Procedure (GIUSP) to make the installation safe.
Dont make any home repairs
If you think one of your appliances has broken down avoid complicated repairs. Check the manufacturers handbook for help and advice, but dont do anything unless instructed. Tampering with equipment could cause carbon monoxide to escape and this could prove fatal. Worried about money? Then arrange boiler insurance cover with a company like HomeServe, or check the details of your home insurance to see if you can make a claim.
Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm
Carbon monoxide has no colour, taste or smell, so its essential to buy an audible CO alarm. Install it around one metre away from gas appliances and test the batteries regularly to make sure they work. If the alarm sounds, you could be in immediate danger, so react as quickly as possible. Contact the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999 and wait for them to arrive outside so you dont breathe any hazardous fumes in.
Know the symptoms of CO poisoning
Carbon monoxide can kill quickly with no warning, so know the symptoms like the back of your hand. They include headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness and loss of consciousness/collapse. If you feel ill at home, but fine when you leave the house, or if the whole family seems poorly, there might also be a problem. If you think youve breathed in this gas, call the hospital urgently and tell them whats happened. Ask a reputable service provider to make appliance repairs and dont return to the house until theyve been done.
Stay safe on holiday
When youre on holiday, the last thing you want to do is think about CO but its important to check your living quarters. If you spot weak pilot lights, stains around appliances, condensation or any other worrying smells or symptoms report it immediately. Dont accept any excuses and ask to change rooms (and maybe even hotels) if youre at all concerned its just not worth the risk.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be extremely serious, so know the dangers at all times.
