Carbon Monoxide Alarm alerts family
Firefighters were called to a house in Basildon last night after the carbon monoxide alarm sounded.
When fire crews arrived, they tested the property and found dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Crews ventilated the property and called in Cadent to safely isolate the gas supply. The property will need a Gas Safe professional to carry out further checks and repairs to the boiler before the gas supply can be safely turned back on.
Station Manager Jason Gould said:
"Incidents like this show how important it is to have a working carbon monoxide alarm in your home if you have any fuel-burning appliance. If it wasn't for the carbon monoxide, the residents would not have known about the dangerous levels of carbon monoxide that was building up in their home. Carbon monoxide doesn't have any colour, taste or smell - the only way to protect yourself is to have a working carbon monoxide alarm".
Carbon Monoxide
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is produced when fossil fuels burn inefficiently.
The most common sources are faulty boilers, gas fires and cookers. Known as the silent killer, due to its lack of colour, taste and smell, carbon monoxide is invisible to the human senses, which is why CO alarms are so important. Each year in the UK alone, over 200 people are hospitalised with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, which leads to around 60 deaths.
Carbon Monoxide alarms
All properties with fuel-burning appliances should have a CO alarm. Whether it’s a gas boiler, a coal fire or a flue running through the room, a CO alarm should be present in each area where a potential CO source may occur. Carbon monoxide alarms can be bought from a number of retailers including your local supermarket and DIY store.
