The CORGI Trust supporting Child Safety Week from 23rd – 29th June 2008
The CORGI Trust, a registered charitable body with key objectives of improving gas safety and reducing carbon monoxide based incidents, is proud to be sponsoring Child Safety Week. Organised by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) this week long event is due to kick off on the 23rd June. Sponsoring the event is a huge opportunity for The CORGI Trust to communicate its carbon monoxide awareness message across to young people, especially when so many young people remain vulnerable to the ‘silent killer’.
Known as the ‘silent killer’, carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous substance that you cannot see, smell or taste. Carbon monoxide is potentially fatal, and even low levels of the poison can leave you with lasting damage to your health. It is produced when a carbon-based fuel (gas, wood, oil or coal) is burnt without an adequate oxygen supply.
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the ‘flu’, and can include: headaches, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, stomach and chest pains. If you feel ill whilst using an appliance, but feel better once you are in fresh air, you could be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Trust Manager Nigel Dumbrell said:
“Working in partnership with organisations that share similar objectives to The CORGI Trust can help in the process of raising awareness about gas safety issues more effectively. Children are one of the most vulnerable groups to be affected by carbon monoxide, the smaller or frailer the person, the more quickly the body can be overcome by the effects of this deadly gas.”
The CORGI Trust will be joining government departments and companies to raise awareness about serious childhood accidents and how to prevent them during Child Safety Week, which will generate significant media coverage, reaching 34 million people through radio, television, press and the internet, so it is a good way to include the following safety messages that CORGI promotes.
CORGI’s tips for staying safe from carbon monoxide poisoning are:
- You must get your gas appliances serviced and safety checked annually by a CORGI registered installer – like a MOT on your car, it will ensure your appliance is working correctly
- By law, you have to be CORGI registered to work on gas. Do not use an illegal gas worker to install, fix or service your appliances – CORGI registered installers are gas experts. If they’re not CORGI, they’re not legal
- Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm. These can be bought from most good DIY stores and some supermarkets and cost around £20. Do not use the ‘black spot’ detectors that change colour when carbon monoxide is present – these will not alert you if you are out of the room, asleep or overcome by carbon monoxide fumes
- Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you feel ill when using a fuel-burning appliance then shut it off immediately, open all the doors and windows and call the gas safety hotline: 0800 111 999
- If you notice excessive condensation in the room where an appliance is installed, sooting or staining on or around the appliance, or a lazy orange pilot flame, these are signs that your appliance could be emitting carbon monoxide
- Do not block ventilation, flues or chimneys for fuel-burning appliances
For further information on carbon monoxide visit: www.trustcorgi.com or www.becarbonmonoxideaware.com or call CORGI on 0800 915 0480.