CO Prevention is Better Than Cure

CO Prevention is better than cure

For the charities and organisations raising awareness of carbon monoxide (CO), a big question remains: why is a preventable problem still killing people and making thousands ill every year? In this blog post, we shine a spotlight on the work being done to keep people safe from CO.

How to stay safe

  • Get an annual gas safety check and have gas, oil, and solid fuel-burning appliances serviced every year.
  • Fit an audible CO alarm in the same room as every gas, oil or solid-fuel burning appliance. Make sure the alarm conforms to BS EN 50291 and has the British Standards (or equivalent European approval organisation's) kitemark.
  • Never bring a barbecue or outdoor heater into an enclosed space such as inside a tent. 

The warning signs

  • Yellow or orange rather than blue gas flames 
  • Dark staining on/around appliances 
  • Pilot lights that blow out frequently 
  • Increased condensation inside windows.