Carbon monoxide poisonings

Around 50 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to fire service statistics obtained by ITV news.

The figures also revealed that incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning rose by 32 per cent from 2,450 in 2014, to 3,249 in the last 12 months. Worryingly, it is thought around two-thirds of UK households remain unprotected, putting 40million people at risk.

As September 16-22 is Gas Safety Week, RoSPA is using this time to highlight the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is frequently mistaken for other illnesses because symptoms such as dizziness, tiredness, headaches and nausea are often hard to distinguish from other ailments. It is often called the “silent killer” because it is colourless, odourless and has no taste. Infants and older people are thought to be the most vulnerable.

To ensure that you are safe from carbon monoxide in your home, follow RoSPA’s top 10 gas safety tips:

• Have all your gas appliances, including boilers, gas cookers and gas fires, safety checked annually
• Always use a Gas Safe Registered engineer to fit, fix and check gas appliances in your home – it's the law and will help keep you safe
• Always ask to see an engineer's Gas Safe ID card and check the back of the card to ensure they are qualified to carry out the specific type of gas work you need
• To find a Gas Safe Registered engineer in your area, call the free helpline on 0800 408 5500 or go to www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk
• Recognise the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness
• Check gas appliances for warning signs that they are not working properly, e.g. lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks or stains on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room
• Buy an audible carbon monoxide alarm for your home and make sure it is located near to your gas appliances in accordance with the manufacturer's guidance. Carbon monoxide can leak from appliances and kill
• Only use gas appliances for their intended purpose, e.g. don't use a gas oven to heat a room or use a gas barbecue inside the house
• Always ensure there is enough ventilation for your gas appliances to allow them to burn correctly and make sure you are not blocking any air vents that provide an air supply to the gas appliance
• Anybody working with gas has to be Gas Safe Registered by law. To report someone working without registration, call Gas Safe Register on the free phone number 0800 408 5500.

 
Ashley Martin
Public health project manager

Finding a Gas Safe Registered engineer is easy. You can find an engineer in your area online www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk, or by calling the free helpline: 0800 408 5500.
 

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