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Gas safety - Carbon Monoxide '
The Silent Killer ' |
Every year about 30 people die from carbon
monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues
that have not been properly installed or maintained, whilst
over 200 others also suffer ill health from symptons of Carbon
monoxide poisoning.
When gas does not burn properly, as with other fuels such as
coal, wood or oil, excess CO is produced which is poisonous.
You can't see it, taste it or smell it but CO can kill without
warning in just a matter of hours.
You are particularly at risk when you are asleep because you
cannot recognise the early symptoms of CO poisoning. These include
tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, giddiness, nausea, vomiting,
pains in the chest, breathlessness, stomach pains, erratic behavior
and visual problems. These symptoms can mimic many common ailments
and may easily be confused as flu, or simple tiredness.
If you or your family experience the above symptoms and you believe
CO may be involved you must seek urgent medical advice. Your
doctor will need to test you for a blood or breath sample. Be
aware, CO quickly leaves the blood and tests may be inaccurate
if taken more than four hours after exposure has ceased.
You are at risk from CO poisoning if
- Your appliance was poorly installed
- Your appliance is not working properly
- Your appliance has not been checked for safety or maintained
regularly
- There is not enough fresh air in the room
- Your chimney or flue gets blocked up
- You allow non-CORGI registered engineers to install or
maintain your appliance(s)
Signs to look out for include
- Yellow or brown staining around, or on appliances
- Pilot lights that frequently blow out
- Increased condensation inside windows
- Yellow rather than blue flame (apart from flueless fires)
If you think your appliance is spilling CO
- Switch off the appliance and do not reuse
until remedial action has been taken
- Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room - do
notsleep in it
- Visit your GP urgently and tell them that you believe your
symptoms may be related to CO poisoning and request either
a blood and/or breath sample
- Contact a CORGI registered
installer to make repairs
Further advice and information
- Campaign for Bedsit Rights 0207 505 2135
- Carbon Monoxide Support Group (South West) 01278 786488
- CoGDEM - The Council of Gas Detection & Environmental
Monitoring 01462 434322
- CORGI 01256 372 300
- Energywatch 0845 906 0708
- HSE Gas Safety Advice line 0800 300 363 (Freephone service)
- National Association of Chimney Sweeps 0800 833 464
- Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry
(OFTEC) 0845 658 5080
- Shelterline (24 hours) 0808 800 4444 (Freephone Service)
- Solid Fuel Association 0845 601 4406
- The Environmental Toxins Foundation 01832 275994 / 01278
787360
- Transco Gas Emergency (24 hours) 0800 111 999 (Freephone
Service)
source
http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/co.htm.© Crown
copyright material is reproduced with the permission
of the Controller of HMSO and Queen's Printer for
Scotland |
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Flame Fix provide oil service and gas service, repairs and maintenance.
Covering the Exeter Devon region for domestic heating appliances,
oil boiler and gas combi boiler fault finding, central heating installations,
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