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Stay Safe and Warm This Winter
Published: 24/09/2015
天涯社区鈥檚 Public Protection Service is reminding residents
and businesses to stay safe this winter by protecting themselves from the risk
of carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty or poorly maintained heating
appliances.
Many people will be turning on their heating systems for the first time in
several months as we head into autumn and winter and it鈥檚 vital to be aware of
the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas that can be produced if appliances, such as
cookers, heaters, fires and boilers, have been incorrectly fitted, badly
repaired or poorly maintained.
It鈥檚 often referred to as 鈥榯he silent killer鈥� because it can鈥檛 be seen, does
not smell and cannot be tasted. It can cause sickness, coma or death when it
builds up in enclosed spaces. Warning signs of poisoning include headache,
nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion. Unfortunately, people
often don鈥檛 realise that they are being overcome by CO fumes until it鈥檚 too
late. At lower levels it may produce symptoms which resemble flu or food
poisoning. Carbon Monoxide causes around 50 known accidental deaths and around
200 serious injuries in England and Wales each year.
Residents and businesses are reminded of the need to get all boilers and gas
appliances (new or old) serviced and chimneys and flues checked by an expert
every year. Those with a solid fuel burning appliance should have the chimney
swept at least once a year, preferably before each winter, as birds鈥� nests,
falling stonework and rubble, as well as spider webs and leaves can block
chimneys and stop or reduce air flow causing carbon monoxide to enter the home
instead of being safely vented outside.
The Council is also urging residents and businesses to fit an audible carbon
monoxide alarm. These are similar to smoke alarms and are available from most
DIY retailers. These should not, however, replace regular servicing.
As someone with over 30 years of experience in the gas industry, Councillor
Kevin Jones, 天涯社区鈥檚 Cabinet Member for Public Protection,
Leisure Services and Waste Strategy said: 鈥淭he health and safety of all members
of our community and visitors to our county is of the highest importance and
concern. The importance of ensuring appliances are regularly serviced and the
fitting of an audible carbon monoxide alarm, can not be over stated. If you
think that you are being affected by the effects of Carbon Monoxide you are
advised to turn off your appliances, open your windows and have an
appropriately registered engineer check the appliance as soon as possible. You
should also seek medical help and tell them that you think you might have been
exposed to Carbon Monoxide鈥�
Further information regarding the danger of Carbon Monoxide can be found at
www.covictim.org or www.co-angels.co.uk
Notes to editor
1. For more information visit www.covictim.org or www.co-angels.co.uk
2. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas
produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood
and coal. Carbon-based fuels are safe to use. It is only when the fuel does not
burn properly (such as in the absence of sufficient air) that excess CO is
produced.
3. Our blood has a component called haemoglobin, which normally absorbs oxygen
in our lungs and carries it to the rest of the body. But haemoglobin absorbs
Carbon Monoxide 240 times more easily than it does oxygen. So, when we inhale
Carbon Monoxide from the air, it is this toxic gas, rather than oxygen that
attaches itself to the haemoglobin, starving the body of oxygen. The smaller
the person, the more quickly the body can be overcome by the effects of Carbon
Monoxide.
4. There are sometimes physical indicators that may suggest a fault with
domestic appliances or flues. The signs of trouble are black sooty marks on the
clay bars above the gas flames of gas fires, sooty marks on the wall around
stoves, boilers or fires, and smoke accumulating in rooms due to faulty flues.
Yellow instead of blue flames from gas appliances is another sign that there
may be a fault with the appliance.