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Dangers of Old Boilers
If there is one simple message about sudden boiler breakdown, it is that you should take it very seriously indeed. Old boilers can kill. And in case you think that an exaggeration, last year around 30 people died as a direct result of a faulty boiler.
And although the dangers of old boilers are well known, few people appreciate how lethal they can be.
Of course, the real threat is not the boiler blowing-up, although this can happen, it is the release of carbon monoxide (CO), a deadly, silent killer.
The problem with carbon monoxide, released at times of sudden boiler breakdown, is that you cannot smell, see, or taste it. People who have suffered the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, and lived to tell the tale, report feelings of light headedness, nausea and headaches, before fainting completely. The first symptoms are usually tiredness, or drowsiness, or a general listlessness. Obviously, many people put this down to just one of those things, failing to realise that a dangerous killer might be leaking into their house.
You have no warning that it is in the atmosphere and you don’t really have time to take few evasive measures. In this case, it is truly a matter of prevention is better than cure.
And this is why is it essential to have your boiler maintained by a Gas Safe Registered installer. Regular servicing will keep your boiler in tip-top condition, and the engineer will be able to pick up any problems when they inspect the boiler and its workings.
So, remember prevention is better than cure, but don’t leave it all to the Gas Safe Registered installer. You can take a few measures to help protect yourself and your family.
Firstly, remember that your boiler must have access to plenty of fresh air, as carbon monoxide is formed when the fuel does not completely burn because of the lack of oxygen. This is why you should not have your boiler squeezed into tight locations, or use it as a coat stand, or shelf. Always ensure that nothing is blocking the vents.
Secondly, get to know your boiler. Get to know the sound it makes as is starts, heats the water and cools down. And if you hear something different, take a look at it. Keep an eye open for yellow, or orange boiler flames, rather than blue. This can indicate the shortage of oxygen in the mixture. Look for stains, or signs of soot, around your boiler. Think about what might be causing them. And if the pilot light keeps blowing out, consider what might be the cause. Don’t put it down to a draught, or blame it on a grumpy old boiler. In a well maintained and properly functioning boiler, the pilot light should not be continually going out.
Thirdly, take the active step of installing a carbon monoxide detector. A Gas Safe Registered installer can help with the fitting of a detector and it will sound an alarm should they detect the poisonous gas. All home owners are strongly advised to have smoke detectors around the house, but there is a strong case to have carbon monoxide detectors fitted as well.
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