A massive worry when you have a boiler is the risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. If there is an issue you may not be able to tell as Carbon Monoxide is odourless, tasteless and colourless. Anna Slater discusses:
Your boiler might not be getting used as much as it did in winter.
But according to The Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety Society, that very lack of action could be masking a deadly and sinister threat.
And the charity is urging Brits not to ‘drop their guard’ during summer when it comes to protecting themselves and their families.
CO-Gas Safety President & Director Stephanie Trotter explained: “We’ve recorded 174 fatalities occurring due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in the UK between the months of April and September, inclusive.
“And that is clearly too many.
“Consumers need to be aware that although they may switch off their central heating at this time of year, the majority of households still use their boilers on a daily basis to provide hot water.
“Indeed, one of the most high-profile cases of CO poisoning in recent times is that of Zoe Anderson, who was killed in 2012 by CO leaking from a boiler as she heated water to take a shower.
“There is also a danger that during the lighter use of the summer months people neglect to carry out maintenance on their appliances, chimneys and flues, as they are not used as often.
“Meanwhile because a boiler is used less, it becomes harder to spot the telltale signs of a deadly defect – such as a pilot light blowing out frequently or changing colour from blue to yellow.”
Around 40 people die, and around 300 injured, from accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning each year in England and Wales.
Able to kill in less than three minutes, CO is odourless and, without a proper alarm, almost impossible to detect before it’s too late.
The majority of deaths – almost a third, 27 per cent – stem from faulty central heating boilers.
And with summer barbecues, woodburning stoves and camping equipment posing further dangers, there’s even more reason to be on your guard when temperatures rise.
Stephen Wilkinson, Service and Maintenance Manager with nationwide heating firm STL Heating & Energy, says homeowners need to be on the lookout for the tell-tale signs something’s horribly wrong.
He revealed: “If you’re not getting hot water, that’s obviously a good indication something may be wrong.
“If the pilot blows out frequently, or changes from blue to yellow, that tells you the boiler could be producing CO.
“Black stains near your boiler, or on the ceiling above, could indicate a CO leak from your flue, and heavy condensation in your home could also be a sign your boiler isn’t venting properly, and is therefore filling the rooms with CO.
“If you have any concerns, get a Gas Safe engineer into your property to inspect the appliance and make sure your carbon monoxide alarms are functioning by always undertaking regular checks.”
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a by-product of burning gas without a sufficient air supply.
Badly fitted and poorly maintained boilers, ovens and other gas appliances can start to produce and leak the gas, killing within minutes.
When breathed in, CO inhibits the transportation of oxygen around the human body, causing cells and body tissue to fail and die – slowly suffocating them to death.
Mr Wilkinson adds: “Anyone carrying out work on installations and appliances must be registered with a relevant association.
“And for gas appliances, that’s the Gas Safe Register.
“The worrying news is that there’s an estimated 7,500 ‘hard core’ illegal gas fitters operating in the UK. And two thirds – 75 per cent – of this illegal gas work carried out in homes is unsafe, resulting in the potential for not just CO poisoning but also fires and explosions.
“We see this for ourselves virtually every week, as our fitters correct illegal work that’s a very real danger to human life.
“Ask for their Gas Safe ID, and if they can’t produce it, show them the door and get an expert in you never know who it could be and remember you are playing with a gas bomb potentially.”
With summer here it’s time to get the barbecues out and camping gear out. This time of year comes with many hazards and it’s important to know how to avoid these taking place.
BARBECUES:
CO-Gas Safety say that over the last 15 years there have been at least 10 cases of fatalities involving BBQs brought inside tents or wooden glamping pods. In 2012 Isabelle Harris, 6, was tragically killed when a barbecue was brought into her tent in the New Forest.
Stephanie says: “People so often consider the risk of fire when bringing BBQs into a tent, but are seemingly unaware of the CO risk or simply do not realise how little ventilation modern tents allow.
“Unfortunately, BBQs and other heaters have also mistakenly been used for warmth in camper vans, cars and even lorries.”
CAMPING STOVES:
In June 2013 Kenneth Chaplin, 63, was found dead in his sleeping bag during a bikers’ rally in north Wales after he’d used a camping stove inside his tent to keep warm.
Stephanie says: “Campers can be overcome by the fumes from portable stoves within minutes. Don’t take the risk.”
BRINGING BBQs INSIDE HOME:
Stephanie says: “What is also often overlooked is the risk of bringing such an item indoors at home. This is a scenario we see repeatedly in the summer by families that have had garden BBQ parties and bring the embers into an enclosed or semi-closed space. In June last year a couple from Bridlington were rushed to hospital suffered CO poisoning after a barbecue and chimnea were brought inside the property.”
BOAT SAFETY:
Between 1995 and 2017, CO-Gas Safety recorded 32 deaths which took place inside a boat – 5 per cent of all deaths.
Stephanie adds: “If a canopy is covering the cockpit it can cause fumes to accumulate that the user may not consider an obvious risk. In addition to this there are several cases of people blocking up vents on canal boats and similar, and using wood burners, cooking equipment or heaters with the living area closed – a deadly combination.”
If you are looking for a qualified and professional gas engineer please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today and we can advise you on what support or service you need. We pride ourselves on our work ethic and customer service. If you want to be sure that you receive the very best service and customer satisfaction then look no further than Eric Collier and Son. Call today on 0845 2000100. Alternatively, go online and get a free quote.
Boilers are one of the most essential parts of our homes. Without them, we do not have access to heating or hot water which powers a lot of other devices such as washing machines and dishwashers. Boilers can also cause a lot of danger when they break down. Gas could be being leaked from your boiler without you even knowing. This is why it is so important that you have your boiler checked straightway if it breaks down. At Eric Collier & Son we provide an 
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