Every year in the UK, more than 200 people go to hospital with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, around 40 of those people will die. Young children and the elderly are most at risk of this silent killer. Carbon Monoxide is colourless and odourless and extremely difficult to detect with only your nose.
Research over the last three years has estimated that one in six homes inspected by the Gas Safe Register was found to have an unsafe gas appliance and one in eleven has an unsafe boiler. This puts lives at risk.
To highlight the issue Corgi HomePlan are running a campaign to encourage every home to install a Carbon Monoxide detector. They’ve also produced a helpful and informative website with advice and details on warning signals to look out for.
If you experience any of the issues listed below you may have Carbon Monoxide issue and should get your home checked as a matter of urgency.
- The flame on your cooker should be crisp and blue. Yellow or orange flames mean you need to get your cooker checked
- Dark staining around or on appliances
- Sooty marks on the walls around boilers, stoves or the cover of gas fires
- Pilot lights that frequently go out
- Increased condensation inside windows
To help make your home safer Corgi HomePlan are offering one of my readers the chance to win a Carbon Monoxide detector for their home. All you need to do to enter, is complete the Rafflecopter form below.
Terms and Conditions
- A winner will be chosen randomly via Rafflecopter
- The winner will be notified via email and Twitter (if you leave your handle)
- ALL entries are checked and if any of your entries are found to be fake ALL of your entries will be disqualified.
- Fake entries/automated entries will be disqualified.
- You will have 28 days to respond to the winning notification, if you don’t a new winner will be chosen.
Keep medicines out of reached or lovked away from chilren – also kitchen cleaners that are often stored in low kitchen cupboards.
Use the plug covers for all visable plugs with young children around
Check Smoke Alarms x
Check all the smoke alarms regularly x
unplug unused plugs at night x
Keep all electrical wires tidy & away from toddlers
Use socket covers for plugs that young children can reach.
If a bear comes close throw sausages at it until it leaves
thanks, I'll remember that one
keep electrical wires all tidy with cable ties
Have your boiler (and gas fire if you have one) serviced regularly to make sure they are working properly,
Hazel Rea – @beachrambler
Inspect smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for dust and lint build up that can hinder sensors.
Keep unused outlets turned off.
Use plug covers on empty sockets – it's not just little fingers, my younger brother once tried to stick his tongue in one!
Get window locks fitted
Use plug socket covers!
Ashleigh
be careful of open windows with little ones, use stay locks @msedollyp
do a daily safety check x
never leave young children by themselves near a stairway without a safety gate in place
unplug unused plugs at night
Check the smoke alarm monthly
Always unplug!!
Get smoke detectors & Carbon Monoxide detectors
ensure all windows and doors are locked at night.
Don't put you are going on Holiday on Facebook.
Test your fuse box each week – just press the circuit trip test button to make sure you are safe
Check all the smoke alarms regularly
un plug your plugs at night
Check all the smoke alarms regularly
Use plug socket covers!
Keep the keys in the window locks. If there ever was a fire and the house was filled with smoke it is easy to unlock the windows if they keys are already there.
Stairgates always locked
(Spencer Broadley)
Make sure the oven / hob is turned off after use.
Make sure you dont leave items charging unnecessary can cause fires if they overheat
Make sure pan handles and pointed away from the edge of the cooker
put child locks on all kitchen cupboards that are in kiddy reach x
Be considerate, careful and safety conscious when cooking, using electrical equipment etc. As distractions / interruptions can be dangerous and costly. If children at home, it is always worthwhile having the children safely occupied whilst an adult is occupied in the kitchen etc. I believe often in the past, and maybe on the return to family life / culture :- one parent may take the children to the local park, whilst the other parent is occupied preparing the family meal. Co-operation, empathy and good team work can allow / encourage a healthy family life.
Rachel Craig
Keep any medicines well out of reach of children!
Always keep your doors locked
When preparing to baby proof your home get down on your hands and knees so you can spot potential hazards from the baby's level.
Gas boiler and fire checks regular, silent killer
switch things off after use
check that your carbon monoxide monitor and smoke alarms are working
Use plug socket covers & always make sure smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarms have batteries
Check everything is switched off especially ovens and chip pans and check all smoke alarms work properly.
Keep pan handles away from little hands reaching up and sharp objects out of reach
Keep any blind cords up and out of the way of little people
Turn off all the plugs at night
make sure all electrical items are turned off after theyve been used
Place pans on the back hobs (if only using one or two) so they are further out of reach from children
Turn all unused electric appliances off when not in use, to avoid accidental electrical fires
Kelly Ellen Hirst
Always check your smoke detectors
make sure you change the batteries on alarms at least once a year rather than when they are almost run out its better to be safe than sorry
Check smoke AND carbon detectors regularly!
always have spare barriers and fuses for emergencies
Check for poisonous plants in the garden
uplug everything from the mains
Test smoke alarms regularly and be careful leaving things plugged in especially hair straighteners
Turn all appliances off when not in use, especially if you are going out x
Turn off appliances at the switch when not in use and keep cables neat and tidy
Trevor Linvell
Don't leave appliances charging overnight
unplug electrical items you are not using
Tidy up trailing leads
ensure cables are secured
Check the smoke alarm regularly
Check smoke alarms regularly
Make sure pan handles don't stick out on the hob and keep the kettle away from the front of your work top
CO monitor, very good
Check fire alarms and make sure all windows are locked.
George Williamson