Get A Carbon Monoxide Alarm!

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

If you have a woodburner, it's also important to have at least one CO alarm because a blocked flue is just as dangerous as a faulty gas appliance.

For most people, the symptoms of CO poisoning are very similar to flu.

Best not to ask me how I know this.

take it your asthma did not warn you? mine did.

 

[lulubel]

take it your asthma did not warn you? mine did.

No, my asthma is weird. The only common triggers I have are colds, flu and chest infections. Also (and I picked this up from another thread where we were discussing it), I get the impression your attacks come on quite quickly. Mine come on over several days, and it can take weeks to settle back down to normal. So, I have no excuse for letting it get out of control, but it's useless as an early warning system!

Fortunately, we realised what was going on when we were both feeling lousy, aired the house and extracted the fuel from the woodburner, which involved a melted dustpan and some nasty black patches on our landlord's new tiled floor! We later found out the flue had 4 ninety degree turns in it, and it was so badly blocked you could barely even get a finger into the remaining gap. Our landlord had to pay to get the whole thing ripped out and redone, and was very aware of how lucky he was to not be sued for compensation.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

...I get the impression your attacks come on quite quickly. Mine come on over several days, and it can take weeks to settle back down to normal. ...

typically I can measure them coming on in seconds if I am lucky, and it also takes weeks to get back to normal as well! For us it was the gas cooker in the kitchen of our rental property. new one has resolved the issue but I constantly find myself checking them when cooking (which I do a lot of normally).

 

[Beebo]

Will this thread turn into a debate over the benefits of these modern lightweight carbon monoxide alarms, against the more traditional heavier steel or aluminium monoxide alarms.

 

[Davidc]

Ours picked up a fault on the gas hob a while back.

An added benefit to safety to getting it fixed was that it worked better as well afterwards.

These things are just as worthwhile as smoke detectors and I agree with all above who say - just get one, now.

 

[Arch]

May I be excused from getting one please?

I only have electric....

That said, I'll check if Mum has one, and suggest it if not.

 

[Davidc]

May I be excused from getting one please?

I only have electric....

That said, I'll check if Mum has one, and suggest it if not.

No. it's the thought that counts!

I got my mum (90) one, but I get a bit concerned whether she'd hear it or the smoke ones, she's gone horribly deaf.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

.....good advice. Also worth remembering that carbon monoxide alarms need replacing quite regularly - so when you think you are buying a bargain, just check how long the alarm will last for. Most last between 2 and 5 years.

 

[addictfreak]

No. it's the thought that counts!

I got my mum (90) one, but I get a bit concerned whether she'd hear it or the smoke ones, she's gone horribly deaf.

Have a word with your local Fire Brigade about your concerns about the smoke alarms. I'm not sure what the policy will be where you live, but I know that in Tyne and Wear you can get help and advice.

 

[Plax]

I only have electricity as we don't have mains gas here. However an old couple 2 villages down were killed 2 yrs ago from it so best get one if you use gas

 

[BSRU]

No. it's the thought that counts!

I got my mum (90) one, but I get a bit concerned whether she'd hear it or the smoke ones, she's gone horribly deaf.

I think FireAngel sell wifi CO alarms which connect to remote alarm sounders and flashers, which can be located in other rooms.

 

[ColinJ]

I only have electricity as we don't have mains gas here. However an old couple 2 villages down were killed 2 yrs ago from it so best get one if you use gas

Or burn any other kind of fuel! I think phil_hg_uk was using a wood-burning stove with a blocked flue when his alarm alerted him to the problem.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Or burn any other kind of fuel! I think phil_hg_uk was using a wood-burning stove with a blocked flue when his alarm alerted him to the problem.

I was indeed I dont have Gas just Storage Heaters and a Wood Burner for when it gets really cold.

 

[subaqua]

I only have electricity as we don't have mains gas here. However an old couple 2 villages down were killed 2 yrs ago from it so best get one if you use gas

incomplete bcombustion of any hydrocarbon will release CO - so your bottled LPG is just as risky . and please don't barbeque indoors. these chuck out a terrifying amount of CO. there have been several deaths in the last few years where people camping have taken glowing BBQs into tents to keep warm with the inevitable outcome.

 

[Night Train]

My one is quite happily, and silently, sitting next to my boiler at the mo. It sat downstairs in the Granny flat for a while but I reckon I should just get one for my folks.