You
can't see it, smell it or taste it.
Carbon
monoxide poisoning is a subject that people know very
little about. Not only can it kill you, it can cause permanent Neurological
Damage in the longer term. In the short term, it can make
you feel ill and inhibit you life potential.
Here's
what to do to protect yourself. Please read all of the 10 steps
to the end, it may be that the following five minutes could save
your life, or the life of someone else.
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1. Check
the flame colour of your appliances, if its orange you do
have a problem. However, Blue does not necessarily
mean its safe. Get your appliances checked annually and get
a detector if unsure.
You would not drive your car without an MOT. Doing the same
for you home is common sense as you spend most of your time
there.
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2.
Check the flue, is it blocked? Do you have creeping plants
growing up your walls? Do you have birds nesting in your flue?
Completely remove these obstructions from the flue area and
fit a guard to stop any birds nesting. Get your flue checked!
Is it drawing properly? Was it fitted correctly in the first
place? |
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3. Do you have a horizontal gas grill? They can be particularly
hazardous. Is yours
working correctly? Older appliances can be problematic, use
the electric toaster instead. Get your cooker checked. |
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4. Is there adequate ventilation?
Check your air bricks or trickle vents. Have you had double
glazing fitted? If the appliances in your home do not have enough
air they will produce carbon
monoxide |
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5.
When were your appliances last checked? Do it every year
don't leave it to chance. Remember the engineer can only check
the conditions on the day that he attends, get protection year
round, fit a CO detector with a low level alarm. |
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6.
Do you suffer from unexplained illnesses, Fatigue,
Muscle pains , Upset stomach, Lethargy, Dizziness, Headaches.
Go to your doctor and get a CohB test, go directly from your
house, don't go elsewhere as the CO in your blood will deplete
and may not be picked up. |
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7. Are you a tenant? Do you have
a safety certificate? Does your landlord annually check the appliances in your
accommodation? (He must do this by Law). Has the engineer done a thorough check?
How long was he in the house for? Has your landlord fitted
a CO Detector? |
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8. Are you a landlord?
have you been carrying out statutory checks? Even if you have
you may be liable if one of your tenants becomes ill or worse
dies. Fit a detector for your own and your tenants piece of
mind. As a Landlord, you have to show due diligence. If you
are found guilty of neglect you may be fined or even sent to
prison. Could you live with the consequences for the rest of
your life? |
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9. We all
feel better on holiday. If you feel especially invigorated
it may be that you have been removed from the source of the
poison. If your health goes into decline on your return it may
be that it's not just post holiday blues, you may be suffering
the ill effects from being poisoned from carbon monoxide in
your home. |
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10. The most important
thing that you can do to protect yourself
and your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning
is to get a carbon
monoxide detector alarm with a low level indicator.
If you fit a detector you can at least be sure, having carried
out all the about safety checks, that you are protected. |
Please
tell a friend or family member about this site, you can use this
quick facility to do so.
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