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What
is Carbon Monoxide ?
It is a commonly found, insidious and deadly poisonous gas,
produced when fossil fuels such as gas, oil and solid fuel
appliances are in operation. Greater amounts are produced if there
is inadequate ventilation/oxygen for the appliance to use, or if
the appliance is not working properly.
If you
breathe it in, it stops the blood taking up vital oxygen needed to
keep you alive.
When are you
at risk ?
You are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if:-
-
Equipment
is not working properly - due to incomplete combustion
-
There
is not enough fresh air in the room
-
A
chimney or flue gets blocked up and carbon monoxide enters
your living area
What
are the Danger Signs ?
If you feel drowsy, have a slight headache, feel dizzy when you
stand up, nauseous/ vomiting or have a pain in your chest then you
could be suffering from the early stages of carbon monoxide
poisoning.
These are just some of the symptoms. You could also feel tired,
have palpitations, or diarrhoea and stomach pains.
CO can cause death or permanent injury to oxygen rich tissue, such
as the brain or heart. Continuous exposure to even relatively low
levels of CO can lead to significant health effects.
CO poisoning is often confused with flu or cold symptoms or the
effect of modern living.
If
you have any of these symptoms, turn off your appliance and seek
medical advice.
Where
are the Potential CO Sources in the Home ?
-
Boiler
-
Gas
Water Heater
-
Gas
Oven/Hob - Cooker
-
Fireplace
(wood, coal or gas)
-
Warming
up a car on a cold morning in an attached garage
-
Barbeque
- charcoal/gas
-
Gas
heater - Space Heater
Natural
Gas, Propane, Methane, Butane, Wood, Oil, Petrol, Coal and
Charcoal
Also known as "fossil Fuels"
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