Search icon

Uncategorized

21st Sep 2012

Wising up to the dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Next week kicks of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week here in Ireland, which aims to raise awareness to the real dangers of carbon monoxide. It's called the silent killer for a reason you know...

JOE

Next week kicks of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week here in Ireland, which aims to raise awareness to the real dangers of carbon monoxide. It’s called the silent killer for a reason you know…

Monday September 24 kicks off the first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week to be held here in Ireland. The aim of the campaign is to promote three key messages for the public to remember about Carbon Monoxide, also known as CO. They include:

Remembering the causes of a CO leak.
Remembering to service your gas appliances.
Remembering to install a CO alarm.

Carbon monoxide is often called the ‘silent killer’ because you can’t see or smell it unlike natural gas, which actually has a smell added to it for easy detection. However, you can detect it with a CO alarm, which looks a lot like a smoke alarm. You can pick one up for just €29.99 over on the Electric Ireland online store.

Looks just like a smoke alarm

So when does CO become a danger in the home? Well that’s simple really. The incomplete combustion of fossil fuels is a major source of carbon monoxide. When fuel is burnt it usually releases carbon into the atmosphere, which mixes with the air to create carbon dioxide, CO2 (the stuff we breath out). However, if there isn’t enough air and carbon is released it then stays as carbon monoxide, CO.

When carbon monoxide is inhaled into the body it combines with the blood, preventing it from absorbing oxygen, which is seriously bad for your health. If a person is exposed to carbon monoxide for too long, it can be fatal.

So make sure to check out the official Carbon Monoxide Awareness website, www.carbonmonoxide.ie, for more information on how to stay safe. Their advice is especially welcome seeing as we’re coming into the cold winter months.

To find out more ways to save money around the home, check out the Electric Ireland website.

Topics: