Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of gas in the absence of a sufficient flow of oxygen. This can happen if a gas appliance is fitted incorrectly, repaired wrongly, or maintained infrequently, so it is well worth making sure that all your gas appliances are regularly checked for safety by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Carbon Monoxide can cause death and serious health problems such as brain damage, depending on the level of exposure.
In the past year, fourteen people have died and over two hundred have suffered from serious health problems as a result of CO exposure.
Alarm options – card alarms:
If you use gas for any reason in your house, be it central heating or cooking, it is essential that you install some kind of carbon monoxide (CO) alarm system.
However, you should ideally avoid the use of ‘black spot' CO detectors that change colour when carbon monoxide is present in the air, as they do not make a sound.
Above all else, it is important that you are alerted as soon as CO levels start to become dangerous, and this may occur while you are sleeping, when you are unlikely to be woken by the changing of colour of a piece of cardboard.
Sound alarms:
Make sure that you buy an audible carbon monoxide alarm, of the type that adheres to the British Standard EN 50291, for every room in your home that has a gas appliance.
Look out for alarms which feature the British Standard Kitemark, as these are guaranteed to be of a certain level of quality and reliability.
A carbon monoxide alarm is just like a smoke alarm, only it alerts you to the presence of the invisible, odourless, and deadly gas that is carbon monoxide, also known as CO.
Carbon monoxide alarms usually have a battery life of up to 5 years, although it is wise to test the unit at least once a month to check that it is still working.
Alarm installation:
A wrongly installed device can lead to a potentially dangerous false sense of security, so make sure that you follow the instructions that come with your alarm to the letter.
If you are not sure of which alarm to buy or how to fit it, ask a Gas Safe registered engineer, who will be able to advise you.
Installing a carbon monoxide alarm is no substitute for making sure that your gas appliances are installed correctly and serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
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