Warning issued over the deadly ‘silent killer’ gas

Alan and Sue Everson, of The Crescent, in Rustington, were relaxing in their bungalow last Wednesday (August 27) when the alarm signalling a potential deadly gas leak starting blaring out.

Alan, 83, said: “The alarm was going off like mad, I’m sure all the neighbours would have heard it.

“I took the batteries out because it was driving us mad and called the fire service.”

The concerned couple sought shelter in their garage while waiting for firefighters.

A crew from Littlehampton fire station arrived within minutes, just before 8pm.

Thankfully, on this occasion, it was just a false alarm.

However, Alan and Sue, 80, are using this incident as a wake-up call for others to heed.

“I would recommend that everyone gets one and checks them,” he said. “Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer.”

The deadly gas is odourless, colourless and tasteless, which makes it difficult to detect. At least 30 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, West Sussex Fire and Rescue said.

Those most vulnerable include young children, the elderly, students and people who suffer with anaemia and heart and lung diseases.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include sudden collapse, loss of consciousness, headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, chest pains and vomiting.

Community fire and road safety officer, Jackie Boyle said the fire service had attended a number of calls where a carbon monoxide alarm had sounded.

She said: “Carbon monoxide is one of the most toxic substances that you will come into contact with in your daily life at home or work and even a small amount in your living area can cause major problems over time.

“Thankfully, none of the incidents we have been to has been serious but carbon monoxide gas is known as the silent killer and we highly recommend that all homes have a carbon monoxide detector as they could save your family’s life.

“We would urge people to treat all activations as real, evacuate everyone from the property immediately, leaving the door open for ventilation and contact a professional to check out the activation.”

Information on carbon monoxide poisoning, inc-
luding prevention advice, can be found at http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carbon-monoxide-poisoning/pages/introduction.aspx and at the Carbon Monoxide Awareness Community Group website www.covictim.org