Gas Safety
You can’t see it, you can’t smell it and you can’t taste it.
Yet staying safe from the danger of carbon monoxide is simple if you follow the easy guide recommended by safety experts at British Gas.
Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. |
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You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes.
Be Aware of the Warning Signs
Could your home have high CO levels? The following are some warning signs to watch for:
- Stains, soot around a gas fire, water heater or boiler
- Increased condensation inside your windows
- An appliance that burns with a yellow or orange flame instead of a blue one
Dangerous Symptoms
CO poisoning is often mistaken for the flu, as it creates nausea, sickness, and headaches. Other symptoms include stomach pains, general tiredness and fatigue.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, you may require immediate medical attention. One of the biggest dangers of CO poisoning is that the symptoms can be easily missed or mistaken for the flu; causing the person to remain indoors and further expose themselves to the noxious gas.
Play if Safe
- Open windows and doors - leave the house!
- Seek fresh air immediately
- Go to an emergency room and inform a doctor that you may be suffering from CO poisoning
British Gas: Committed to Prevention
Rented Homes - Know Your Rights
If you live in a rented home, by law your landlord must show you a Landlord's Gas Safety Record. This record indicates which gas appliances in the house have been checked for safety in the past 12 months.
If you have not seen one, ask your landlord now. It could save your life.
And, of course, always read and follow all of the instructions that accompany any fuel-burning device!
For more information on CO and other home safety issues go to www.britishgassafety.co.uk
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