Life saving grabbit now

lawrie28

Better be safe than sorry. Carbon monoxide is caused through the burning of things, though only in certain circumstances IIRC. As the oil fired system is burning oil, I wouldn't take a chance.

With regards for the fumes only coming halfway up the wall, rubbish. They may start low down, but as they build up wil rise and rise. Get 2 detectors, may cost a few quid but much better.

I had a family friend and his brother die from a faulty boiler that a dodgy landlord had reconnected after it was condemned, so can only recomend every gets one.

Ellie

Can I just state the obvious here ... If you have any alarms, smoke detectors/Carbon Monoxide remember to Check batteries regularly!!!!

Its scarey how many people don't check alarms OR take them out and forget to replace them!! Try and keep a spare or 2, after all it could save you and your families life!

maisiescamp

wacko911 wrote: »

Unlike smoke alarms beaware the sensor in CO alarms have a limited lifespan (5-10 years). Watch out for offers on alarms as they may be old stock and check the expiry label on your alarm when your changing the battery.

Thank you for posting this, My Mum died from Carbon Monoxide Poisioning in Oct from her fuel burning stove. She did have carbon monoxide alarms but unbeknown to her and us they had expired.

Sadly she had continued to test the 'test' button which made it looked like it worked but sadly it was just the batteries that were working and the Carbon Monoxide sensor had actually stopped working.

Everyone that we have told about this since, not one person knew that the Carbon Monoxide sensor expires, everyone trusts the 'test' button.

plainsie

Maisiecamp

Very sorry to hear about your loss. How do you know when the sensor has expired. I thought if the batteries worked that the alarm was ok.

upsy-daisy_3

Maisiecamp, So sorry to hear about your mum. Thats awful, i too would be one of those that trust the "Test" Button. Now i know better. xx

Can someone please advise me on the best CM Alarm to get? There are so many around and i have no idea. This thread is quite old so not sure if the ones mentioned are still available. Many thanks xx

katie444

NBirdy wrote: »

I'm completely paranoid about this kind of thing, but didn't think we needed one as we don't have gas? Now I'm wondering if that's correct. This will probably sound stupid but oh well, I'll choose sounding stupid over my family dying -

We live in a house with oil-fired central heating. The oil tank is situated in the garden, and the boiler is in a little shed outside the house. Do I still need CO alarms? We have smoke alarms of course, and have tried to talk about the procedure in case of a fire with our 3 yr old (led to her having nightmares and thinking that if the smoke alarm beeps she should jump out the window :eek: - have straightened that out now!). We also have a small extinguisher and fire blanket.

This question and others posted earlier shows that well-meaning statements that "we all need one" can cause problems. Incidentally, the earlier advice to charge your phone overnight near your bed would not be given out by any fire prevention staff of the fire service - they'd never suggest charging an appliance when you're asleep. (I have a contact who heads up the fire prevention service locally).

This is important - knowing why you need a CO detector is the first step in ensuring the detector is situated properly and will be able to work. If you just take the approach of "I'd best get one, though I don't really know why" then it may not do you any good. Yes It does no harm to have one, but it may not do you any good and in fact can give a false sense of security "the alarm didn't go off, we're fine" if not used properly.

As an earlier poster said, the problem arises when fuel burns with a limited oxygen supply producing CO gas rather than CO2, and there is limited ventilation to let the CO fumes escape. Levels of CO gas rise to the point where the gas becomes poisonous to humans. (Higher levels of CO cause quicker presentation of, and more severe symptoms.)

If in doubt of whether to get one or where to put it, contact someone you trust e.g. your local fire prevention team at the fire service, or a reputable website.

Not everyone needs a CO detector.
If your home is electric-only, you don't need one.
If your home uses a flame to burn fuel (which for most of us means a gas boiler or gas oven or hob) you may need one, but it depends on your circumstances.
You don't need one just because people smoke or burn candles at home.
The poster above may not need one as the boiler is outside the home, in a shed. As long as the exit flue lets fumes escape sensibly (i.e. fumes aren't directed into the house) they won't need one.
But think outside your home too - for example if you use a petrol-powered tool (like a leaf-blower or chainsaw etc) in a semi-enclosed space like a workshop, you may be in danger of CO levels rising to the danger zone.

Alongside getting a CO detector, the best advice is to ensure all fuel-burning appliances are serviced regularly, including checking ventilation. Prevention is better than cure! If any appliance burns with a yellow flame rather than a blue flame it may be problematic.

thelurch

wacko911 wrote: »

Unlike smoke alarms beaware the sensor in CO alarms have a limited lifespan (5-10 years). Watch out for offers on alarms as they may be old stock and check the expiry label on your alarm when your changing the battery.

Just to comment on the mention of smoke alarms, whilst CO sensors do have a limited lifespan, it is worth mentioning that smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years as they can become less sensitive. Hence a lot of SA's now being sealed units with 10 year batteries so the whole thing has to be replaced.

maisiescamp

plainsie wrote: »

Maisiecamp

Very sorry to hear about your loss. How do you know when the sensor has expired. I thought if the batteries worked that the alarm was ok.

Thats we thought too
They tend to last about 5 or 6 years, it tells you on the packaging itself rather than on the alarm. Some alarms have the date of manufacture on them others don't so it is best to make a note of it yourself.

bbford

Can i also suggest that if you travel it's worth taking a monitor with you too.

My Oh and his sister nearly died whilst staying in a quality B&B, sadly 2 girls in the room next door died.
We now take a small monitor with us on breaks.

plainsie

Maisiescamp

Thankyou for the information

Take Care