'We were being poisoned in our sleep': Cornwall mum's warning over carbon monoxide
Jade has spoken out as a post-Covid campaign urges people to check for faulty appliances
Last updated 5th Nov 2021
A winter campaign is raising awareness about the dangers of faulty appliances in our homes.
74 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning have been recorded across Cornwall and the South West in a year.
The invisible and odourless gas causes flu-like symptoms and the effects of breathing it in can be deadly.
Since 2015, private landlords have been required to fit a carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a solid fuel burning appliance and make sure they are working at the start of each new tenancy.
However, in 2014, Jade Ullrich from Newquay found she and her family were suffering the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning in their rental property due to a faulty boiler.
The mum-of-two was pregnant at the time and is urging other families to be cautious as the weather turns colder.
"Carbon monoxide - it's the silent killer"
Jade said: "The property that we were staying in that you assume is going to be safe for you and your family and to a rentable standard was, in effect, poisoning us in our sleep.
"It was an incredibly scary time and moving forward, it was a learning curve to say the least.
"Make sure it's at the forefront of your minds. We're coming into a time of the year when everyone's thinking about warming their homes but this is an all-round problem; carbon monoxide, it's the silent killer".
What has the campaign revealed?
According to a new survey of heating engineers, there has been a rise in dangerous appliances across the UK.
39% of those surveyed said that they were seeing poorly maintained or badly fitted appliances every week, with nearly two-thirds (61%) seeing them monthly.
One engineer reported condemning 49 boilers in just one day at a social housing provider.
The survey, commissioned by campaign group Project SHOUT, also shows (29%) engineers saw more dangerous appliances since Covid-19 due to people being wary of letting engineers into their home or simply being unable to afford servicing. Some had tried to do it themselves.
Those exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning as a result were also less inclined to go to hospital compared to previous years.
Now, with the winter months approaching along with spiralling energy prices, there are concerns that cash-strapped families are at further risk of putting themselves and their loved ones in danger.
Craig Drinkald is the National Fire Chiefs' Council lead officer for Carbon Monoxide in the UK.
He has attended numerous tragic incidents caused by CO poisoning and is now using his experiences to highlight the dangers.
Craig said: "When you're describing that you feel a bit tired, you feel like you've got a headache, they might believe that you've just got some bug and actually they'll tell you to stay nice and warm and stay in your house, so it's really important that people have carbon monoxide detectors.
"It's really important that people get their boilers checked regularly by someone who's registered with the Gas Safe Register, because if the boiler's not working effectively, then that's when carbon monoxide gets produced and that can cause people long-term health effects".
How do I detect/prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has the following advice about carbon monoxide poisoning on its website.
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused with food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple tiredness. These include:
1) Headache,
2) Feeling sick (nausea) and dizziness,
3) You may also feel tired and confused, and
4) Some people are sick (vomit) and have abdominal pain.
The symptoms of CO poisoning can resemble those of food poisoning and the flu because they have similar symptoms. However, CO poisoning does not cause a high temperature.
Symptoms that may come on later include:
1) Confusion,
2) Loss of memory, and
3) Problems with co-ordination.
You can help to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by:
1) Make sure all appliances are installed and maintained by a professional.
2) Keep chimney flues free from blockages - for more information visit chimney fire safety.
3) Ensure your home has enough ventilation and airbricks are not blocked.
4) Protect your family from this silent killer by fitting a CO alarm approved to BS EN 50291.
More advice about carbon monoxide, including fitting and checking an alarm, can be found on the Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service website.