We have all heard the horror stories about people within their home suffering from carbon monoxide related issues as well as those who have tragically lost their lives. This is why there is such an emphasis on making sure you have the right preventative measures in place if something was to go wrong. At Greener Homes we are boiler specialists with a vast array of experience within industry. In our latest article we take a look at how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.
What Is Carbon Monoxide And How Is It Produced?
Carbon Monoxide or CO is an odourless and colourless gas that is formed by incomplete combustion fuels. Most of this gas will be apparent in your boiler due to the substances which are burnt to generate heat for your home. Ensuring that you have measures in place to deal with this is very important for the health of those around you.
How To Prevent It From Happening?
As it is not possible to not have carbon monoxide if your boiler burns gases to make heat, you need to look at all of the preventive measures that you can put in place. Some of these will be home remedies that you can do, as well as some others requiring the skills of a registered heating engineer. Regardless of what you choose they are all important. Some of the preventative measures include the following:-
Know The Risks
The first and most important preventative measure is to understand what the risks are from carbon monoxide poisoning. By understanding the risks of it, you will also get to understand the signs that you need to keep an eye out for. This way you can then utilise other measures to support.
If your home is maintained then the carbon monoxide gases which are odourless and colourless can be transported away from your home. If not, the inhaling of carbon monoxide can cause issues such as headaches, dizziness, weakness and also vomiting. A higher volume can cause people to fall unconscious or even die.
Keep Vents Clear
Keeping the vents clear is one of the basic and easiest home remedies to complete. By this we mean if you have a wood burner, fireplace or even stove ensure that where the harmful gases escape from is never blocked. Storms and even snow can be the biggest contributor so make sure you are on top of your home maintenance.
Conduct Regular Maintenance
Boiler maintenance is going to be one of the biggest key factors in the fight again poisoning. By having regular maintenance scheduled and carried you can ensure that all is working well on your boiler system. During a service a registered heating engineer will check the integrity of the pipework as well as its inner workings. From this they can conduct tests to see if there are any obstructions or areas that need to be looked at.
To ensure that this is carried out regularly make sure that you book a service to be carried out annually. And equally if you find there is an issue with a boiler then call a gas safety registered professional as soon as possible.
Install CO Alarms
If you have fuel burning appliances within your home or even a fireplace then you need to consider the use of a CO Alarm. A CO Alarm is a device that is used to detect any gases that may be in the air. Some CO Units sit alone and sound solely based on that one room. However, what is more popular are the systems that sound all across the house if there is an issue. If you find a CO issue then call for assistance immediately.
Maintain CO Alarms
Once you have your CO alarm installed, you need to ensure that they are maintained regularly. As safety devices go they are one of the best and effective methods in which you can use. Many systems will come with a battery back up to ensure they are running. However carrying out your own maintenance is only beneficial to you and those living with you.
To Conclude
With Carbon Monoxide being one of the most dangerous substances you can inhale ensuring you know how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home is a must. What can be said is the points above are important and they are to protect yourself as well as the other living within your home. At Greener Homes we work with a number of clients within residential and commercial so have a vast array of knowledge. For more information on our services and experience please feel free to Contact Us.