| Carbon Monoxide is sometimes referred to as the | | | | keeps on going out. |
| "silent killer". | | | | If you suspect that Carbon Monoxide is present |
| Carbon Monoxide is breathed in, enters the lungs and | | | | these are the steps to take-a) Switch off |
| displaces oxygen from the bloodstream. Without the | | | | appliances.b) Open all doors and windows and get out |
| right balance of oxygen the functions of the heart, | | | | of the room.c) Call the Gas Emergency Services on |
| brain and other vital organs suffer, resulting in | | | | their 24 hour helpline. |
| anything from headaches, nausea, dizziness, extreme | | | | Annual gas checks are a must, whether you arrange |
| tiredness, and even death, if not caught in time. | | | | it through a competent gas fitter, or have a service |
| Since it really can kill, the dangers of carbon | | | | contract with one of the gas suppliers. At these |
| monoxide are something we all need to be aware of. | | | | annual services any problems should be picked up, |
| We should take steps to look out for the danger | | | | and remedied. |
| signs of this colourless, odourless, tasteless gas. | | | | Always make sure your appliances are fitted in |
| Basically there are four often obvious signs to show | | | | accord with current gas regulations. Difficult of course |
| that Carbon Monoxide may be present- | | | | to do if you aren't a professional, but by using |
| 1) Check around your gas boiler, water heater and | | | | someone with the recognized qualifications you cut |
| fire. Discolouration, staining and sooting is a sign of | | | | down the risk of getting a faulty and potentially |
| CO. | | | | dangerous installation. |
| 2) If there is excessive condensation in the room | | | | Finally, fit a Carbon Monoxide alarm. This will detect |
| where the appliance is installed in, or you can see or | | | | just a tiny amount of CO, and will give you warning |
| smell smoke. | | | | of its presence. Follow the fitting instructions carefully. |
| 3) The normal color of a flame or pilot light is mostly | | | | Fit away from doors and windows, in places where |
| blue. If the flame is yellow orange this could be a sign | | | | air circulates naturally. |
| that CO is present. This doesn't necessarily apply to | | | | By taking sensible precautions we can avoid |
| decorative-flame or living-flame fires though, as they | | | | becoming a victim of Carbon Monoxide - the silent |
| are supposed to show different colours. | | | | killer. |
| 4) CO might be being produced if your pilot light | | | | |