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
symptoms 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 recognize 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.
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You are at risk from CO poisoning if |
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Your appliance was poorly
installed
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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-GAS
SAFE registered
engineers to install or maintain your appliance's
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Signs to look out for include |
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-
Yellow or brown staining around,
or on appliances
-
Pilot lights that frequently blow
out
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Increased condensation inside
windows
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Yellow rather than blue flame
(apart from flueless fires)
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If you think your appliance is spilling CO |
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Switch off the appliance and do
not reuse until remedial action has been taken
-
Open all doors and windows to
ventilate the room - do not sleep in it
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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
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Contact a
GAS SAFE
registered installer to make repairs
Further advice and information
-
Campaign for Bedsit Rights 0207
505 2135
-
Carbon Monoxide Support Group
(South West) 01278 786488
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CoGDEM - The Council of Gas
Detection & Environmental Monitoring 01462 434322
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GAS SAFE Register
(0)800 408 5500
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Energywatch 0845 906 0708
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HSE Gas Safety Advice line 0800
300 363 (Freephone service)
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National Association of Chimney
Sweeps 0800 833 464
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Oil Firing Technical Association
for the Petroleum Industry (OFTEC) 0845 658 5080
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Shelterline (24 hours) 0808 800
4444 (Freephone Service)
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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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