CO is a KILLER . 01843-842727 mon to fri 9 to 4

Carbon monoxide is given off on solid fuel fires and gas fires

So if you have a milti-fuel or wood burning stove OR open fire you

ARE AT RISK.

Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas that is found in carbon-based fuel appliances. If you use natural gas, heating oil, petrol, or wood to heat your home or work area you should be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide blocks the body's ability to carry oxygen and poisoning from the gas can happen in minutes or over a period of time depending on the amount of carbon monoxide in the air.

Symptoms
• Mild headache.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Fatigue.
• Drowsiness.
• Coma and death.

If you have even one fuel-burning appliance in your home, you should purchase a carbon monoxide detector. This detector can be purchased at any hardware store and should be placed in a hallway or sleeping area, (but please remember that you still need a regular service from a corgi registered engineer.) If carbon monoxide is present in your home an alarm will sound. If your carbon monoxide detector alarm sounds, leave your home immediately and call a qualified Corgi registered engineer.

CO-Awareness is an organisation based out of Runcorn, Cheshire, that supports victims of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, their families and friends.

Article Source: http://www.co-awareness.co.uk/

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 many others also suffer ill health.

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.

Article Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/co.htm

GAS APPLIANCES

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 on gas appliances(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 not sleep 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 02075052135
• Carbon Monoxide Support Group (South West) 01278786488
• CO-Awareness
  email: LynnCoAwareness@aol.com
• CO-Gas Safety 01372 466112
  email: office@co-gassafety.co.uk
• HSE Gas Safety Advice Line 0800 300 363 (Freephone service)
• National Grid Gas Emergency Line (24 hours) 0800 111 999 (Freephone Service)

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