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Safety In The Home
CO2 Poisoning
What is carbon monoxide?
Using Gas Apppliances safely
Safety Checks
Signs of Carbon Monoxide poisoning
What can you do?
Your rights as a tenant
Useful numbers
Co2 Poisoning was very prevalent at the latter stages of 2006 with several well publicized deaths, but out of this terrible situation awareness of this silent killer as been greatly improved. Sales of Co2 monitors for the home have exploded simply to have that comfort of knowing your household is safer.
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas with no taste, no colour and no smell. It can be produced when any fossil fuel such as coal, wood or natural gas is burned and there is an insufficient air supply. Carbon monoxide kills around 50 people each year and many more are seriously injured. It can escape into your home if a gas appliance is not installed correctly or serviced regularly. For your peace of mind, a carbon monoxide detector from British Gas will give you inexpensive and effective protection from this hidden hazard.
Furthermore, we've put together some common sense steps that reduce the risk to yourself and your family, and will also ensure the gas appliances in your home are working safely and efficiently.
Using Gas Appliances safely
- use the appliance properly by following the manufacturer's user instructions; for example, do not use a cooker to heat the kitchen
- all gas appliances need an air supply to enable them to burn the gas safely. Most appliances have a chimney or flue to allow the waste products to be safely removed from your home. However, if the ventilation is restricted or the chimney/flue becomes blocked, the appliance may produce carbon monoxide, which could start to build up inside the house
- If an appliance can't breathe properly, it won't work safely or efficiently.
- keep vents in doors, walls or windows clear
- make sure your chimney doesn't become blocked with birds' nests or other debris
Safety Checks
A dangerous appliance might not give any obvious indication that anything is wrong, but there are some tell-tale signs that can indicate an appliance is faulty, and at risk of emitting carbon monoxide.
- check for signs of staining, sooting or discolouration on or around gas boilers, fires and water heaters
- check pilot lights and other gas flames that normally burn blue. If the flame changes to yellow or orange, it could mean that carbon monoxide is present
Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning
Any member of the family can be affected by carbon monoxide, even the household pet. The symptoms, which can often be confused with other ailments like flu, are:
- persistent headaches
- dizziness
- extreme tiredness
- sickness
If these symptoms occur, particularly when using a gas heating or hot water appliance, stop using the appliance immediately. Ventilate your home by opening the windows and doors, and call the Emergency Service Provider 24-hour gas emergency line on 0800 111 999. If necessary also contact your doctor, and explain what you suspect.
What can you do?
It is possible to help protect you and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning by following these straightforward steps:
- make sure your appliances are properly installed and regularly serviced by a competent engineer who is registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI). This isn't just common sense, it's the law
- never block or obstruct air vents. Otherwise, you could be shutting out air the appliances need to burn safely
- keep all chimneys and flues clear
- use appliances properly by following the user instructions. These will also tell you how frequently an appliance should be serviced
- never attempt to service or repair a gas appliance yourself
After servicing, a second line of defence is to install a carbon monoxide detector. British Gas recommends one with an audible warning alarm and which is approved to BS7860. These devices work by monitoring the air around the detector and if carbon monoxide is present, they will sound an alarm, before a dangerous level is reached, even when you are asleep.
Your rights as a tenant
If you are currently a tenant, it is your landlord's responsibility:
- to maintain the gas appliances he owns in a rented flat or house in a safe condition
- to arrange for a British Gas engineer or another CORGI registered engineer to repair any defective gas appliances he owns
- to provide annual safety checks on all gas appliances he owns by British Gas or another CORGI registered installer
- to keep a record that the safety checks have been carried out and give you a copy of the record if you are an existing tenant or, if you are a new tenant, you should be provided with this information before you move in
Ask to see the CORGI registration identity card from any service engineer who wants to work on the gas appliances in your home.
For advice on safety in the home, visit www.britishgassafety.co.uk
There are pages covering each room in the home and specific advice for parents, kids, students and landlords, as well as an interactive safety quiz and games.
Useful Numbers
Transco Gas Emergency Line - call FREE on 0800 111 999 (24 hours)
HSE Gas Safety Advice Line- call FREE on 0800 300 363
CORGI - Council of Registered Gas Installers - call 01256 372 200
Fitting a carbon monoxide detector can give additional peace of mind. British Gas can provide a five-year guaranteed, British Standard Approved CO detector (BS7860) during service visits. These can also be ordered through our Spares by Post service for £22.99 (including p&p). Call 0845 640 0100 and quote reference SBP to order your carbon monoxide detector now.
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