HOW YOU CAN HELP AVOID THE SILENT KILLER
Ironically, the Government’s various and laudable initiatives to encourage householders to improve the insulation of their homes will mean there is an even greater threat of CO poisoning due to the increased air tightness of homes. Important advice comes from the new Carbon Monoxide Helpline on how to keep out of harm’s way from the silent killer.
25 November 2013 – Barely a week goes by without a report of someone killed by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning – sometimes a whole family is made seriously ill. CO is a colourless, odourless gas and that is why it is commonly called ‘The Silent Killer’. In the UK it causes the deaths of approximately 40 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.
Faulty, incorrectly installed or infrequently maintained fuel burning household appliances such as cookers and heating devices are the main cause of accidental exposure to carbon monoxide. Ironically, the Government’s various and laudable initiatives to encourage householders to improve the insulation of their homes will mean there is an even greater threat of carbon monoxide poisoning due to the increased air tightness of homes.
The recently launched Carbon Monoxide Helpline, operated by B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association, say there are two very important steps you can take to keep you and your family out of harm’s way:
Step One: The first line of defence against CO poisoning, and the most important thing you can do, is to ensure that all fuel burning appliances (boiler, cooker or fire) and any connected flues or extraction systems in your home are regularly maintained to keep them operating in safe working order and subject to annual safety checks by a qualified engineer.
Step Two: A second but important line of defence is to fit one or more CO alarms. As you cannot see or smell carbon monoxide, fitting a European Standard certified audible carbon monoxide alarm is a low cost but potentially life saving device. CO alarms are widely available to buy online or through electrical, hardware and home improvement stores. Local, reputable heating engineers will also usually fit one for you.
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
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 members are subject to regular, third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability, carried out by an independent certification body at least every three years.
B&ES members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople.
B&ES operates the Carbon Monoxide Helpline (http://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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