▪ Safety tips to protect Birmingham University students
▪ Free carbon monoxide alarms for students
National Grid is urging Birmingham University students to protect themselves against a ‘silent killer’ stalking Britain – carbon monoxide gas.
National Grid staff will be dispensing vital safety tips and offering free carbon monoxide alarms at the University’s Interpartnership Safety Day on 15 November.
Students are especially vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning. The company is raising awareness in a bid to cut deaths and injuries from the deadly gas.
Known as the ‘silent killer’ because it can’t be seen, smelt or tasted, it is responsible for some 40 deaths every year. A further 4,000 people visit accident and emergency departments with symptoms of poisoning.
National Grid is attending a series of events at universities across the country to spread the safety message. The programme has been organised by Aston University student Ralf Quist, who is working at the company on a year-long industrial placement.
Ralf said: “Students can be particularly at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning. For a lot of us it will be the first time we’ve had to organise our own accommodation.
“You can protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning with a few basic steps: wherever you are living, make sure you have an audible carbon monoxide alarm. These alarms cost as little as £20 – a bargain for something that could save your life.
“Ask for an up-to-date gas safety certificate for the property. By law, landlords must make sure that all gas appliances are serviced annually by a Gas Safe Registered engineer and they are legally required to provide tenants with an annual gas safety certificate.
“Finally, know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and what to do if you think you’ve been poisoned. If you think you have been poisoned move into the fresh air straightaway and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
“If someone has collapsed or is unconscious, call 999 or 112 immediately.”
The six main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are:
Headaches
Dizziness
Nausea
Breathlessness
Collapse
Loss of consciousness
These symptoms can be confused with flu or even hangovers but there are other warning signs that could indicate carbon monoxide poisoning. They are:
- Other people where you live are having the same symptoms
- The symptoms disappear when you leave the building or go on holiday but return when you come back
- The symptoms get worse when you are cooking or when the heating is on
There’s more information about gas safety and CO poisoning online. Check out http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/Safety/Carbon-Monoxide/ or www.gassaferegister.co.uk