I have blogged about this subject 8 months ago, following a death in Stornoway as a result of this gas. Last week, two children died on holiday in Corfu, Greece, because carbon monoxide seeped into their accommodation from an adjacent boilerhouse.
Winter is here, and now is the time to check your central heating or other fuel burning appliances.
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, which can strike without warning. Please take heed - even with everything technically in order it can still claim victims.
Carbon monoxide cannot be detected using your normal senses.
It
has no smell. Low concentrations of the gas cause headache and nausea.
High concentrations cause loss of consciousness after only a few
moments. It can KILL.
Carbon monoxide is formed when fuel is burned with inadequate oxygen supply.
This can happen under the following circumstances:
- poorly maintained appliances
- with any type of carbon-based fuel (coal, gas, oil, wood).
- in appliances installed without adequate ventilation
- chimneys or flues blocked or poorly maintained
* Ensure your appliance is freely ventilated, and any ventilation holes are not unnecessarily blocked off
* Ensure your chimney is swept annually, and the exit inaccessible to birds who may want to nest in there
Thanks for this post Guido. Although we have cm detectors in abundance here, bought and installed easily, many people don't bother or find it cost-prohibitive. There's a piece of legislation gathering dust in Washington that would make having these life-saving devices the law, the way smoke-detectors are. Every winter people die in their beds from cm poisoning, I hope it doesn't take hundreds of deaths before this legislation becomes law. CATHY
ReplyDeletehttp://journals.aol.com/luddie343/DARETOTHINK/
Very wise post! TY!
ReplyDeleteSug
Great entry Guido. We just don't ever think of this.
ReplyDeletePam
Very good, informative entry....thanks for sharing the info with all...very important entry too on the dangers of carbon monoxide...take care!!!
ReplyDeleteJoyce
I arranged for my boiler to be serviced last month. I sat in all day three weeks ago waiting, no one came! I've had to phone them and arrange it for the 23rd of this month, I just hope they turn up! It's a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector. I remember Vitas Gerulaitis died this way. Jeannette xx http://beta.journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels/
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder, Guido.
ReplyDeleteLori