CO POISONING – NEW HELPLINE WARNS THAT THE ‘SILENT KILLER’ IS NOT JUST A RISK IN THE HOME
10 October 2013 – A new Carbon Monoxide Helpline has just been launched. It will be managed by the long established Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) and will provide consumers with a Freephone Helpline number 0800 810 8464 that will operate 24/7, 363 days per year. A central focus of the new service is a website www.cohelpline.org that provides comprehensive information about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and how to keep out of harm’s way from this “silent killer”.
Roderick Pettigrew, Chief Executive of B&ES, comments, “Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal and wood do not burn fully usually combined with insufficient ventilation. Whilst many victims are exposed to CO in homes they can also be at risk from exposure in holiday accommodation, caravans, motor homes, tents and boats as these often use fuel burning appliances in what may be a poorly ventilated area.
“Our new service is therefore intended to warn of all the dangers associated with this potentially lethal gas: when, where and how it can occur and to provide essential safety advice including what to do if someone has been affected.
“The clear message on the website and given out by our team of experts available by calling the Helpline is that there are important steps consumers can take to help avoid the potentially tragic consequences of CO poisoning. In a recreational environment one such important precaution is to always use a portable type CO alarm. Widely available to buy online or through electrical stores it is essential that your alarm is marked with the EN50291 safety standard and with the CE mark.
“We hope our new service will play a key role in reducing the number of CO poisoning incidents in the years ahead.”
For more advice call the Carbon Monoxide Helpline on 0800 810 8464 or visit their website at: http://www.cohelpline.org.
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Issued on behalf of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) by Next Step Marketing Ltd
Media enquiries to: Heather Lambert. Tel: 44(0)1256 472020;
Fax: 44(0)1256 471010; E-mail: heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas. It causes the deaths of approximately 50 people each year, with hundreds more made seriously ill, and the Department of Health estimates that around 4,000 people are admitted to A&E as a result of inhaling this dangerous, invisible gas. Exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide leads to collapse and death within minutes and even lower levels of poisoning can result in lasting health problems such as neurological damage.
Since its formation in 1904, B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association (formerly the HVCA) has represented the interests of companies engaged in a wide range of building and engineering services including domestic heating and renewable technologies.
B&ES operates the Carbon Monoxide Helpline (www.cohelpline.org) to provide consumers with advice about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and how to keep out of harm’s way from this “silent killer”.
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