Beware the silent killer - confused.com urges protection against carbon monoxide poisoning

Confused.com is urging all consumers to do a safety check on all their gas appliances, chimneys and flues, to protect themselves from the silent killer – carbon monoxide poisoning. According to the Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety Society, carbon monoxide poisoning kills 40 people per year and injures around 3001 – all of which could have been avoided. Gareth Kloet, Head of Utilities at Confused.com says “As the cold weather continues, it’s good practice to make sure that you have an up to date gas safety certificate. This is a legal requirement in rental properties but should be considered essential for all households. I’d encourage everyone to get gas appliances checked before switching them on and to check that chimneys, flues and vents have not become blocked over the summer. Many gas suppliers offer service packages which include carbon monoxide checks and carbon monoxide detectors can be fitted for ongoing safety. “Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are not easy to distinguish from those experienced in common illnesses like food poisoning or the flu. Low levels of exposure to the gas can bring on mild nausea and headaches but may also impact your health in the longer term. More prolonged contact can result in severe headaches and a feeling of confusion. Spells of dizziness and fainting are also associated symptoms. Ultimately if exposure continues, it can be fatal. “You can’t smell it, you can’t taste it and you can’t see it. But this silent killer can be prevented by taking some simple steps”. Confused.com top safety tips: • Have your gas appliances checked by a qualified technician at least once a year; if you have any doubts over an appliances condition don’t use it. • Make sure that vents have not become clogged during the summer – blockages can come in many shapes and forms so check all your chimneys and flues are clear from things like overgrown vegetation, birds and wasps nests, so emissions can escape. • Get a Carbon Monoxide detector for each high risk area in your home. They are available from most DIY shops or directly from your gas supplier. Think of them like your smoke alarm and regularly check and maintain them. • If you suspect you or someone else is showing the effects of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, immediately seek professional medical advice. Vacate the premises without delay – ventilate if possible. Only return when you’ve been advised that it’s safe to do so. -ENDS- Media information: Zoe Stevens PR Manager zoe.stevens@confused.com 02920 494393 Notes to editors: 1 http://www.co-gassafety.co.uk/statistics.html About Confused.com: Confused.com is one of the UK’s biggest and most popular price comparison services. Launched in 2002, it generates over one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, van insurance, motorbike insurance, breakdown cover and energy, as well as financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and life insurance. Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides a free, objective and unbiased comparison service. By using cutting-edge technology, it has developed a series of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help customers with their decision-making, subsequently finding them great deals on a wide-range of insurance products, financial services, utilities and more. Confused.com’s service is based on the most up-to-date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators. Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.