15 November 2012
The Fire and Rescue Service is launching a Carbon Monoxide awareness campaign next week to coincide with a national campaign running from 19-23 November 2012.
The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide, often referred to as the ‘Silent Killer’. The Fire Service wants to highlight the signs and symptoms to look out for. They also want to raise awareness of all potential sources of carbon monoxide and advise people how to make their and homes and workplaces safer.
Safety
Community Fire Safety Officer, Phil Falle, said "As the weather gets colder many of us are thinking about firing up our heating systems or lighting a fire. While we understand that most people are feeling the pinch, our advice is not to compromise on safety by skipping boiler services or avoiding getting the chimney swept.
"Carbon monoxide can easily build up in your property if your boiler develops a fault, if your chimney fails to draw effectively or has a damaged flue. We recommend that every home containing an appliance that could generate carbon monoxide has a carbon monoxide alarm installed.
Risk
"Every year in England 40-50 people die from CO poisoning and countless more suffer non-fatal poisonings. The gas is colourless and odourless with a density that is very similar to that of air, so its presence is not easy to detect. CO is produced from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, from gas, oil, wood and coal burning appliances. There is therefore a potential risk from any energy source other that electricity for cooking and heating."
gov.je