Have you considered a Carbon Monoxide alarm?
Carbon Monoxide alarms are available from many hardware and DIY stores.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and poisonous gas. It can be produced by any appliance which burns a fossil fuel such as gas, coal or oil.
Carbon Monoxide alarms can make a very effective contribution to secure the safety of you and your family. However, there are some points you need to be aware of to use these alarms effectively.
What type should I use?
Many different alarms are available but we recommend that the alarm you buy should comply with EN 50291, and this should be marked on the box. Also, we only recommend those alarms that have an "end-of-life" indicator - this is an option that only some alarms offer. This indicator should not be confused with any "fault" indicator. A Carbon Monoxide alarm should not be used as a substitute for a smoke alarm.
One alarm may not be sufficient
If all your fuel-burning appliances (including their exhaust flues and air supplies) are in the one room, then one detector in that room may suffice. If the appliances/flues are located in more than one room, then an alarm should be fitted in each of those rooms.
An alternative strategy, particularly more suited where the appliances and/or flues are spread across too many rooms, is to locate the alarms in the living rooms and bedrooms. In this situation, note that the manufacturers usually recommend installing the alarms at breathing height rather than at high level.
If the alarm(s) cannot be heard in any living rooms and in all the bedrooms, more advanced alarms that include the provision for interconnecting them can be used. In this case, if one of a set of interconnected alarms detects CO, it will trigger the other units to also sound an alarm, allowing you position extra ones close to the living rooms and bedrooms, where they will be audible.
You MUST test the alarm regularly and replace it when it reaches the end of its life.
Carbon Monoxide alarms have a limited lifetime, and the manufacturer will specify when it should be replaced. We recommend those units that incorporate an end-of-life indicator. Never hold on to a Carbon Monoxide alarm after its useful date has expired.
While Carbon Monoxide alarms may provide an extra measure of warning remember these are no substitute for regular inspection and maintenance of appliances, vents, flues and chimneys.
Always follow the alarm manufacturer's instructions and if any aspects are unclear, contact them directly for further guidance.
Recall of CO alarm - Fireman BWK401C batch WK0910023
This product has been withdrawn from the market by the importer as it fails to warn / operate when it is exposed to various concentrations of Carbon Monoxide. The Product does not comply with the European standard EN50291.
(Reference European Commission RAPEX notification 15/1232/09 published on 4/04/2010).
Recall of CO alarm - ELRO - RM 339, EAN: 8711658251516
This product has been withdrawn from the market by the importer as it fails to warn / operate when it is exposed to various concentrations of Carbon Monoxide. The Product does not comply with the European standard EN50291.
(Reference European Commission RAPEX notification 20/1346/11 published on 20/11/2011).
Recall of CO alarm - Pentatech - model: 4015162220209
This product has been withdrawn from the market by the importer as it fails to warn / operate when it is exposed to various concentrations of Carbon Monoxide. The Product does not comply with the European standard EN50291.
(Reference European Commission RAPEX notification 30/1463/11 published on 11/12/2011).
Recall of CO Alarm – Power Plus BWK034C / Ref 6167
This product has been withdrawn from the market by the importer as it fails to warn / operate when it is exposed to various concentrations of Carbon Monoxide. The Product does not comply with the European standard EN50291. (Reference: European Commission RAPEX notification 15/1232/09 published on 3rd September 2009).
Recall of CO Alarm – Lloytron Model B822
This product has been withdrawn from the market by Lloytron as it fails to warn / operate when it is exposed to various concentrations of Carbon Monoxide. The Product does not comply with the European standard EN50291. (Reference: European Commission RAPEX notification 43/0084/09 published on 23rd January 2009).
Recall of CO Alarm – JO-EL Model COA-001 Item n° 822611
This product has been withdrawn from the market by the importer as it fails to warn / operate when it is exposed to various concentrations of Carbon Monoxide. The Product does not comply with the European standard EN50291. (Reference: European Commission RAPEX notification 10/1077/08 published on 3rd October 2008).
Recall of CO Alarm – DOMOTIBELEC REF 982030
This product has been withdrawn from the market by the importer as it fails to detect gas at a concentration of 300 ppm, in a time of less than 3 minutes. Product does not comply with the European standard EN50291. (Reference: European Commission RAPEX notification 17/0800/08 published on 25th July 2008).
Recall of CO Alarm – Proteam- Item number HO1497 (LX-GS) and HO1227 (LX-GS). Batch codes: PO6/001400 and PO6/001474.
This product has been withdrawn from the market by the manufacturer as it fails to warn / operate when it is exposed to positive concentrations of Carbon Monoxide. In addition, the markings and the instructions provided do not contain required warnings and information, in particular relating to how the alarm operates, to the action to be taken in the event the alarm sounds, and to the effects of carbon monoxide on the human body.The Product does not comply with the European standard EN50291. (Reference: European Commission RAPEX notification 23/0572/07 published on 22nd June 2007).
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