Our journey to Knowingly Safe is crucial so that everyone is switched on to safety 24/7 at work and at home.
During a severe winter storm that caused a two day power outage, Ewan Kerr, technical manager at NG Bailey, and his wife, relied on their open fire for continuous heat.
In the early evening on the second day, their carbon monoxide alarm sounded, waking them on the couch from what Ewan described as ‘probably our last sleep’.
Both were disoriented, with headaches and dizziness, but the alarm’s piercing sound alerted them just in time.
Ewan said:
“Always position your carbon monoxide monitor close to the source of combustion. This ensures any build up is detected early.
“Each floor of a home should have a linked smoke detector, ideally placed near sleeping areas, so the alarm can be heard.
“Rooms with combustion sources must be well ventilated. We had recently sealed drafts in our cottage, which improved energy efficiency but unintentionally reduced ventilation and contributed to the dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide.”
Regulations require interlinked smoke and fire alarms in homes. These alarms are designed so that if one goes off, they all do, ensuring people hear the alarm wherever they are in the house. Ewan reflected on this, adding: “I wonder how many lives this has saved?”
His experience is a stark reminder of the unseen dangers that can arise when proper precautions are not in place.
He urges everyone to have the courage to care by installing carbon monoxide alarms, placing them correctly, and ensuring proper ventilation in areas with combustion sources.
Knowingly Safe Guidance
For guidance on carbon monoxide alarm placement and installation, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022: guidance for landlords and tenants – GOV.UK
By taking these simple but essential precautions, we can protect ourselves and those around us from the silent and deadly threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.