Energy News

Winter turns boilers into “silent killers”

Wednesday 7 December, 2011

By Martin Fagan

Cases of carbon monoxide poisoning up 90% but half of homes have no detector fitted, says AA.

Many household boilers struggling to cope with the demands of winter could turn into “silent killers”, warns the AA.

As the temperatures drop and families turn up the thermostat, poorly maintained gas central heating boilers - or those with blocked or leaky flues - can release carbon monoxide, the so-called “silent killer”.

Research by the AA's Home Emergency Response service revealed that fewer than 45% of home owners say they have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector installed in their property. This is less than half the number who say they have a smoke alarm in their home (97%).

As carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless it is very difficult to detect without a monitor. With the initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning similar to those of flu it is also often hard to identify when someone is affected, particularly in winter when more people exhibit flu-like symptoms.

The AA says that analysis of figures from the Health and Safety Executive shows that, although the number of fatalities has remained relatively stable (14 deaths in 2010/11), in the last five years, the number of incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning has risen by 90%.

“Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer as it is so hard to spot,” said Tom Stringer, head of the AA’s Home Emergency Response service.

“One of the main sources of carbon monoxide in the home is faulty gas appliances such as boilers. We would encourage all homeowners to get their appliances serviced, before the hard work of the winter really kicks in.

“They should also fit a CO detector which are relatively inexpensive but make sure they conform to the relevant British Standard. They should also be positioned correctly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. And as with any detector, they should be regularly checked to maintain their effectiveness. ”

Often associated with people living in rented accommodation, carbon monoxide poisoning is a risk for anyone using appliances that burn wood or fossil fuels - gas, coal or oil. Carbon monoxide detectors manufactured after November 2006 should conform to the EN50291 standard.