It’s coming to the end of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week; but Confused.com’s Owe Carter thinks that CO safety is always worth bearing in mind.
CO-Awareness Week began on Monday, and – though this is clearly a very noble cause – it’s important not to forget about the dangers of carbon monoxide once the week is out.
Carbon monoxide is notoriously difficult to detect. It has no smell or flavour, it’s invisible to the naked eye, and its effects can be devastating.
Our article The Silent Killer: Confused.com Warns of the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide is a really worthwhile read. It's got some tips on how to spot if you have a CO leak, symptoms to look for, and landlord's responsibilities to be aware of - for landlords and tenants alike.
Safety checklist
- It's important that your boiler is kept in good working order, and regularly serviced.
- Think about upgrading your old gas appliances. If you're a landlord, then you're legally required to have gas appliances checked every 12 months by a registered gas installer. All records of the safety checks should be kept for a minimum two years. If you need to get hold of a registered gas engineer, go to the Gas Safe Register website.
- If you’re planning to use old-fashioned portable heaters this winter, get them checked by an expert before use.
- Always keep your home well ventilated.
- If you have a chimney that's in use, be sure it’s swept annually by a qualified engineer or chimney sweep.
- If you’re worried about carbon monoxide in your home, or you have any friends or relatives who you feel are unaware of the risk, it’s worth visiting the CO Awareness website. The site is full of information and prevention tips that could prove vital.
The charity Carbon monoxide awareness are holding its 6th Carbon monoxide awareness week this November.
Events will be held in the following areas during our 6th Carbon monoxide-Awareness week 2011:
*Monday 21st November. London. House of Lords. Those poisoned by Carbon monoxide attending. Our Carbon Monoxide phone app will be launched. This event is by invitation only.
*Tuesday 22nd November. Belfast. Kings Hall Conference Centre.
*Wednesday 23rd November. Scotland Venue to be confirmed.
*Thursday 24th November. Yorkshire. Venue to be confirmed.
*Friday 25th November. Liverpool Townhall. Council Cambers. All welcome. Open from 9.30 am. Presentation start time 10am - Noon.
* Donations are still being accepted to support this years events.
Anyone interested in supporting this years carbon monoxide Awareness week should contact; Lynn@covictim.org or via the charities website: www.covictim.org
Posted by: Lynn Griffiths (President of CO-Awareness and Founder of carbon monoxide Awareness week. | 10/04/2011 at 02:03 PM