Be Carbon Monoxide Aware
Too many people die each year in the UK from Carbon Monoxide poisoning and many become chronically ill. With symptoms including headaches and drowsiness, it’s often confused with flu.
Gas stoves, fires and boilers, gas powered water heaters, paraffin heaters, solid fuel powered stoves, wood burners, boilers and water heaters are all capable of producing Carbon Monoxide if not appropriately installed and maintained.
Carbon Monoxide can seep into properties via shared flues or chimneys and can even permeate through brick walls and plaster. This is how you may be poisoned in your own home by Carbon Monoxide from produced next door. That is why it is important to ensure your appliances are working properly and that as a second line of defense you have an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm installed.
A few simple steps, including an annual safety check by the relevant professional, getting your chimney swept, and using a CO alarm could all help prevent needless deaths. By reading the information contained on this website — https://www.facebook.com/story.phpstory_fbid=1105492794925245&id=100063936048592&_rdr — you can stop yourself and your loved ones from becoming a Carbon Monoxide statistic.
Carbon Monoxide is known as the "silent killer" for a reason — it's invisible, odourless, and tasteless. That's why so many people are unaware they're being exposed until it's too late. Children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to its effects.
To stay safe, always ensure ventilation is adequate when using fuel-burning appliances, never block air vents, and avoid using outdoor heaters or barbecues indoors — even in garages or conservatories. It's also good practice to familiarise yourself with the early warning signs of CO poisoning and to educate others in your household.
Raising awareness among your neighbours and community can also play a crucial role. If you live in shared accommodation, rented housing, or a flat with communal services, Carbon Monoxide safety should be a collective responsibility. Don't assume someone else is taking care of it — ask the necessary questions and push for proper maintenance checks.
Remember, it only takes a few minutes to check your alarms or schedule a professional inspection, but those few minutes could save a life. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and encourage others to do the same.