TAKE TWO STEPS TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY OUT OF HARM’S WAY FROM “THE SILENT KILLER”
Winter will soon be upon us and that means the home boiler will be in near constant use keeping the central heating going and heating water. And as Christmas approaches a boiler safety check will probably be the last thing on homeowners’ minds. But B&ES (the Building & Engineering Services Association), who run the free consumer advice service the Heating Helpline, issue a timely reminder that, as there are few things more important than the safety and well-being of our family, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
15 October 2014 – Winter will soon be upon us and that means your home boiler will be in near constant use keeping your central heating going and heating your water. And as Christmas approaches a boiler safety check will probably be the last thing on homeowners’ minds. But B&ES (the Building & Engineering Services Association), who run the free consumer advice service the Heating Helpline, issue a timely reminder that, as there are few things more important than the safety and well-being of our family, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Their Chief Executive, Roderick Pettigrew, comments, “Unfortunately, too many households go years without getting their cooking and heating appliances maintained. Homes with old boilers or appliances that have been infrequently or, worse still, never serviced pose a serious risk of giving off deadly carbon monoxide fumes.”
CO poisoning occurs when gas fired appliances such as boilers, cookers and fires are not operating correctly, and yet research undertaken by the Gas Safety Trust revealed that a third of people didn’t associate the maintenance of their boiler with the avoidance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Mr Pettigrew adds, “It’s an odourless, colourless, non-irritant gas that you cannot see, taste or smell but it can kill quickly with no warning. It is the most common cause of fatal poisoning in the UK, with 40 people each year being killed by it and thousands more made ill.
“So our advice is ‘don’t take chances’ and take two important steps to keep you and your family out of harm’s way from ‘the silent killer’.
“Step One is to call in a reputable, qualified heating engineer to have your appliances serviced and safety checked.
“Step Two, and a vital second line of defence after having your appliances safety checked, is to install an audible carbon monoxide alarm. These are widely available from as little as £15 and can be bought from online stores and many other outlets; alternatively you can of course ask your local Gas Safe registered engineer to fit one for you.”
For advice on gas safety, home heating and energy saving, including how to locate a qualified, registered heating engineer, visit: http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk or call 0800 810 8303.
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.
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