Be Aware Of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide has no colour, taste or smell, making it near impossible for people to detect. The potentially fatal gas can be released by incorrectly functioning gas or petrol-powered appliances, including those commonly used in holiday accommodation and caravans. Aside from the difficulty involved in detecting the presence of carbon monoxide, the symptoms can also be tricky to spot as they tend to be similar to the common cold. With the weather we experience here in Britain, it’s safe to say that most of us will have some kind of cold symptoms at any given time, meaning that the effects of carbon monoxide could be ignored with disastrous results.
Staying safe
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Install a reputable carbon monoxide alarm in all rooms housing a gas or fuel burning appliance. This includes central heating boilers and cooking equipment. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and test your alarm regularly
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Never block ventilation to your appliances
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Familiarise yourself with the signs of carbon monoxide leaks and poisoning
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Make sure all appliances are serviced once per year by a qualified, registered professional
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Never use barbecues indoors
Spotting problems with your appliances
Installation and maintenance of carbon monoxide detectors should make any issues apparent before appliances start showing physical signs of damage, but these warning signs should never be ignored:
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Soot on or around the appliance
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Yellow and/or brown staining on or around the appliance
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An excessive amount of condensation in the room in which the appliance is located
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A change in colour from a blue gas flame to a weaker yellow or orange flame
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A frequently extinguishing pilot light
Should you notice any of these problems with your heating system or another appliance, shut it down immediately and seek assistance from a registered professional.
As an added safety measure-Have a Carbon Monoxide alarm installed
