Does your home have a CO detector?

Nile

CO (carbon monoxide) is a poisonous gas which you can't see and can't smell!

CO is released when fuels are burnt, it can leak into a room when the flue is partially/totally blocked or if the flue/appliance is faulty.

Headaches and nausea (not attributed to drinking with Andrea in the Arms) may be the first symptoms that CO is present in the air.

We've had CO detectors since 1994, when they were first commercially available. One is fitted in the lounge (where we have a gas fire) and the other is in the kitchen (where we cook with gas).

The CO detectors we have are electrically powered and give a visible green/yellow/red light indication and buzzer alarm. The detector needs to be replaced after five years of operation.

They are not cheap and you can probably buy cheaper detectors now. If anyone is interested in the model/manufacturer of our detectors, let me know.

Galstonian

I have some cardboard CO detectors - they are coated with some kind of chemical that changes colour if there is sufficient CO in the air. Much cheaper in the short term but they don't last forever.

Nile

You pays your money and takes your choice. Your cardboard version will show if CO has been detected but it relies on you regularly inspecting it.

The CO detectors in my home have coloured lights (green, yellow and red) and a warning buzzer which sounds if the CO level rises above 100ppm.

Levels of 400ppm are life threatening after 3 hours.

Levels of 800ppm will result in death within 2-3 hours.

So......this winter, if you have headaches, tiredness, dizziness and nausea, don't assume that you've got the flu, it could be CO poisoning causing these symptoms.

Nile

Let's all be safe in our homes.

Glad

I'm sure that gas suppliers provide battery powered detectors at discount prices

Glad

battery powered £21.99 at http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp;jsessionid=C3P4MCMVZONUJCJO2C4CJ0Q?id=15738&ts=65473

System

We have those cardboard gas detectors in our house, but i am sure you have to change them on a regular basis, and i am afraid ours are a year old. Kick up the backside for me and Mr Judi i spose :-[

trafalgar_2

Yeah got mine , I'm a bit of safety maniac ;D

I used to have a radon gas detector at my last home because of where it was built , all the home around there did.

student100

When we got a new boiler fitted the British Gas engineer fitted one free. (BG fitted the boiler).

1jim

i got one from argos, approx 32quid but is smoke and co detector, seems very good, keep meaning to get one for upstairs to replace the normal smoke alarm, u can never be too carefull

Pal

When we got a new boiler fitted the British Gas engineer fitted one free. (BG fitted the boiler).

It would have been a good moneysaving tip until you said that BG fitted the boiler.