It hangs in the air in heavy bubbles in rooms where there are neglected or poorly installed gas appliances or installations... you can't see it, smell it or taste it, but carbon monoxide (CO) can kill.
CO is often referred to as 'the silent killer', and now that winter is well and truly upon us, gas usage is at its peak. Spotting the signs can save lives.
While carbon-based fuels are safe to use, faulty appliances and blocked flues can cause the build-up of poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) gas. CO is odourless, colourless and tasteless making it difficult to detect.
The signs of a leakage include*:
o Stains, soot or discolouring around a gas fire or at the top of a water heater
o A yellow or orange flame on a gas fire or water heater
o Pilot light frequently goes out
o Increased condensation inside windows
The best way to detect CO is to install an audible alarm, as strongly recommended by the Health and Safety Executive*, and to check it regularly.
Landlords need to be made aware that their tenants could be at risk from CO poisoning, especially when they are asleep because they may not be aware of early symptoms until it is too late. By educating tenants on early detection and by installing an audible CO alarm, the lives of tenants are no longer at risk of CO poisoning.
While installing a CO detector is no substitution for ensuring that your gas, oil, and solid fuel appliances are safe and in proper working order. Annual inspections on appliances are an essential part of being a responsible managing agent and/or landlord.
The Health & Safety Executive details early symptoms of CO poisoning as:
o Tiredness
o Drowsiness
o Headache
o Pains in the chest
o Stomach pains
Different family members can have different symptoms and often the effects can be confused with flu or food poisoning. If in doubt, consult your doctor.
In one six-year period, CO was responsible for 316 deaths and nearly 400 near misses**.
*Source: Health and Safety Executive: Gas safety - Carbon monoxide awareness
**Source: The carbon Monoxide & Gas Safety Society
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