■ 300 life-saving carbon monoxide alarms handed out over 65s in special events in Harlow
■ Giveaway part of Carbon Monoxide Safety sessions held in Harlow
■ Events were organised by Rainbow Services' Senior Safe & Social Project in partnership with West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group and supported by Cadent
An Elvis impersonator provided some light relief at events which provided some very serious lifesaving advice for some of Harlow’s older residents.
The Harlow Community Builders events were run by Rainbow Services' Senior Safe & Social Project in partnership with West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group. Cadent, Britain’s largest gas distribution network supported the three Carbon Monoxide safety sessions, which were also attended by Essex Fire and Rescue Service.
Carbon monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ because it can’t be seen, smelt or tasted. It kills around 40 people every year across the country with a further 4,000 people being admitted to hospital with poisoning symptoms, but this can easily be prevented.
Hayley Tranter, Cadent Stakeholder Specialist, said: “It’s really important that people get their gas appliances checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
“Signs that gas appliances aren’t working properly include lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.”
Hayley added: “We advise people to learn the six signs of carbon monoxide poisoning namely headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and a loss of consciousness.
“We advise everyone to get an audible carbon monoxide alarm like the ones we gave away at the sessions and these should be tested regularly.”
Event Organiser Kelly Tarling, Community Builder for Rainbow Services said: “We’re delighted to have had Cadent support our sessions to help raise awareness of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide and how people can take action to make their homes safer.
“With the weather getting colder and more people switching on their heating the advice has been very timely and we’ve had fantastic feedback on the sessions.”
For more information about gas safety and Carbon Monoxide poisoning visit
https://cadentgas.com/Emergencies-safety/Suspect-carbon-monoxide
To find a Gas Safe registered engineer visit
www.gassaferegister.co.uk
or call 0800 408 5500.
For more information on fire safety in the home visit
http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/#car