TAKE STEPS NOW TO PREVENT RISK OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Following the recent dramatic carbon monoxide poisoning storyline involving two of TV soap Coronation Street’s most popular characters, public awareness of the dangers of CO poisoning in the home has probably never been higher. Yet new research commissioned by home improvement retailer B&Q reveals that 6 out of 10 households do not have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted. The Heating Helpline says that homeowners and tenants should take steps now to prevent a tragedy caused by the ‘silent killer’.
7 February 2013 – Following the recent dramatic carbon monoxide poisoning storyline involving two of Coronations Street’s most popular characters, public awareness of the dangers of CO poisoning in the home has probably never been higher. Yet new research commissioned by home improvement retailer B&Q reveals that 6 out of 10 households do not have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted. The Heating Helpline says that homeowners and tenants should take steps now to prevent a tragedy caused by the ‘silent killer’.
B&Q surveyed 2,000 homeowners from across Britain and the key finding was the lack of a carbon monoxide alarm with less than four in ten homeowners having one fitted. This is compared to 8 out of 10 households having at least one working smoke alarm.
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of B&ES, who operate the Heating Helpline, comments, “Carbon monoxide incidents in the home resulting from defective or poorly fitted heating and cooking appliances are all too common; figures released by the Department of Health reveal the hidden toll, each year, from this dangerous invisible gas with 4,000 admitted to A&E, 200 people hospitalised and around 50 deaths in England and Wales.
“CO poisoning occurs when gas fired appliances such as boilers, cookers and fires are not operating correctly. Unfortunately too many households go years without getting their cooking and heating appliances maintained. Homes with old appliances or appliances that have been infrequently serviced are most at risk. We strongly advise that households take steps now to prevent the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, the most important one being to call in a reputable, qualified heating engineer to have your appliances serviced and safety checked.
“A second line of defence is to fit a European Standard certified audible carbon monoxide alarm. It is essential that your alarm is marked with the EN50291 safety standard and with the CE mark. These are widely available to buy online and from electrical or home improvement outlets. Your local Gas Safe Registered engineer will also fit one for you”.
For more advice call the Heating Helpline on 0800 810 8303 or visit their website at: http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk.
Ends
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 Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.
Picture Caption:
Left: “Keep your family out of harm’s way – make sure all fuel burning appliances in the home are regularly serviced and safety checked by a registered, qualified heating engineer.”
Right: “Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas that will not be detected by a smoke alarm – to detect if it's present in the home it’s essential to have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted.”
Tags:
