Are you aware of the dangers?
Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer. Tenants and residents should understand the dangers. Carbon monoxide can:
- kill
- severely damage you health
You can't smell or see carbon monoxide but there are signs you can look out for such as (but not limited to):
- excess condensation in a room
- soot-like marks on or near appliances
- family members suffering from prolonged flu like symptoms
Modern appliances have safety features built in to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide. However, older systems and open-flued appliances using chimneys, including coal fires, are at more risk of faults that could lead to the production of carbon monoxide.
If you are a tenant, your landlord is responsible for carrying out an annual servicing of your gas central heating to make sure that your boiler is working properly and not generating carbon monoxide.
Your landlord will also carry out checks on your carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly. As a tenant, it is important to arrange time to allow your landlord access to carry out these checks.
If you are a home owner you should make sure that you have your gas heating serviced regularly and your carbon monoxide detectors periodically checked.
