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| WHAT’S YOUR POISON? (MAKE SURE IT’S NOT CARBON MONOXIDE) |
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| Date:
29/09/03 |
Author:
Linda North |
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The UK’s 20 million gas consumers are being targeted in a new campaign by CORGI, the gas safety watchdog, to raise awareness of the ‘silent killer’ Carbon Monoxide (CO) – a dangerous gas that is undetectable to the human senses as it is invisible and has no taste or smell. The campaign is to be launched on Monday at a gas safety fringe meeting, hosted by CORGI, at the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth.
Gas can be one of the safest fuels available if used properly. However, if a gas appliance or flue has not been correctly installed or maintenance is neglected, CO can be produced at dangerous levels. Every year in the UK, CO poisoning from gas appliances claims around 30 lives, and causes hundreds more injuries. As the majority of incidents are caused by poor maintenance, they are easily avoided by following CORGI’s simple gas safety advice.
CORGI’s gas safety advice is:
·have gas appliances checked for safety annually by a CORGI registered gas installer
·always use a CORGI registered installer
·never block ventilation
·never DIY with gas
·always ask to see a gas installer’s CORGI ID card before letting them into your property
Some signs that CO is present include:
·sooting or staining on or around the appliance
·a yellow or orange lazy flame (instead of crisp and blue)
·excessive condensation in the room where the appliance is installed
The symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of a viral infection or flu and include drowsiness, weakness, headaches, nausea and pains in the chest. CO poisoning is especially dangerous because of its deceptive onset. It affects mental ability, meaning the victim is not aware that anything is wrong. Sudden exertion may cause the victim to collapse preventing their escape from the situation. If anyone in your house has any of these symptoms whilst using a gas appliance, turn it off until it has been checked by a CORGI registered installer and consult a doctor, mentioning CO poisoning.
Free virtual postcards
A range of animated virtual postcards are available free on the CORGI website www.corgi-group.com for consumers to send to a friend or neighbour and raise awareness of the dangers of CO poisoning and gas safety in the process. The cards all have light-hearted catch-lines, such as What’s your poison?… make sure it’s not carbon monoxide, or You take my breath away…so can Carbon Monoxide. The light-hearted messages are followed by a more serious gas safety message, including the importance of using a CORGI registered gas installer. There is also space for the sender to add their own personal message to their friend.
CORGI postcards bearing information about Carbon Monoxide are also available in hardcopy from leaflet racks in Superdrug Pharmacies and selected public libraries.
Media contact: Linda North on 01256 372254 or [email protected]
An electronic image of a virtual card is available on request.
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