CO poisoning advice on offer

The trade association for the oil heating industry is urging Monklands households to take action to protect themselves from the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

The warning comes as part of this year’s carbon monoxide awareness month, a national campaign highlighting the potential risks of CO poisoning which kills, on average, 30 people, and hospitalises more than 4000, every year in the UK.

CO is produced when carbon fuels don’t burn properly and any type of heating system where combustion takes place can potentially give off the odourless, colourless gas.

Exposure can result in severe long-term health problems, or even death, with younger and older people as well as pets most at risk; key symptoms to watch out for are tiredness, dizziness and headaches.

In support of this month’s campaign, OFTEC is asking Airdrie and Coatbridge homeowners to take the following steps to reduce the risk of CO poisoning: purchase audible CO alarms; test and check CO alarms; avoid blocking ventilation of wood burners and stoves; service your boiler; and open all the windows and then leave the room immediately if your CO alarm goes off.

Malcolm Farrow, from OFTEC, said: “Carbon monoxide poisoning can have a devastating impact on the lives of the people it affects so it is extremely important households not only understand the potential risks but take the relevant action to prevent them.”