Protect your homes from ‘silent threat’ lurking during winter
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With the first cold snap hitting cities across the country, many families are turning on their heaters, unaware of the potential danger that could be seeping into their living spaces.
As we seek warmth within the comfort of our homes, it's crucial for Australian homeowners and renters alike to be aware of a silent threat that could be unseen.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that can cause serious health issues or even death if inhaled in large quantities.
It's produced by burning fuels such as gas, wood, or petrol.
If not properly maintained, common household appliances like gas heaters, stoves, and open fireplaces could be sources of the deadly gas.
Tony Talbot, Sales Manager for Brooks Australia, a family-owned business specialising in fire safety, has emphasised the importance of being vigilant against this 'silent killer'.
‘There’s no smell, no taste, you can’t see it so it builds up without you knowing,’ he said.
‘So you need to have that awareness about you and that’s where a carbon monoxide detector comes into it.’
The solution? Carbon monoxide detectors.
These devices can alert you to the presence of CO in the air, potentially saving lives.
However, carbon monoxide detectors are not mandatory in homes, with the exception of social housing.
This leaves the decision to install these devices in the hands of homeowners and landlords.
‘As much as it’s a pain to do, it comes down to how much value you put on life,’ he added.
According to Mr Talbot, homes with wall-length furnace heaters are the 'worst by a country mile' for carbon monoxide leaks.
These are often found in older rental properties, and he strongly recommended that rentals with these heaters should have a carbon monoxide detector installed on the ceiling about three metres in front of the heater.
Garages are also a high-risk area for carbon monoxide poisoning.
With many people spending additional time in their garages, the risk of inhaling carbon monoxide from a running car also increases.
Mr Talbot advised installing a detector in the garage as a precaution.
‘You should have one in your garage because I, like a lot of people, pull into their garage at night, I’m on my phone for about 20 minutes,’ he said.
Brooks Australia recommended servicing appliances every two years to prevent CO leaks, including checking that air vents.
Despite the risks, a national Climate Council poll of 1,100 Australians found that only 32 percent were aware that gas in the home posed a significant health hazard.
In previous news, the ACCC issued a recall for the Celmec Heatray IRH-G 118 Overhead Radiant Heater as it posed risks for homeowners through carbon monoxide poisoning.
The recall affected over 100,000 homes.
As we prepare for winter, it's essential to prioritise our health and safety by ensuring our homes are equipped to detect and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Consider having your heating appliances serviced by a professional,
If you haven't yet, invest in a carbon monoxide detector for your home and garage. It's a small price to pay for the peace of mind and safety of you and your loved ones.
Have you had your appliances checked recently, or do you have a CO detector in your home? Join the conversation in the comments section below.
As we seek warmth within the comfort of our homes, it's crucial for Australian homeowners and renters alike to be aware of a silent threat that could be unseen.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that can cause serious health issues or even death if inhaled in large quantities.
It's produced by burning fuels such as gas, wood, or petrol.
If not properly maintained, common household appliances like gas heaters, stoves, and open fireplaces could be sources of the deadly gas.
Keeping homes warm during the winter months is essential, but homeowners have to be careful about possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Image Credit: Pexels/Thomas Vitali
Tony Talbot, Sales Manager for Brooks Australia, a family-owned business specialising in fire safety, has emphasised the importance of being vigilant against this 'silent killer'.
‘There’s no smell, no taste, you can’t see it so it builds up without you knowing,’ he said.
‘So you need to have that awareness about you and that’s where a carbon monoxide detector comes into it.’
The solution? Carbon monoxide detectors.
These devices can alert you to the presence of CO in the air, potentially saving lives.
However, carbon monoxide detectors are not mandatory in homes, with the exception of social housing.
This leaves the decision to install these devices in the hands of homeowners and landlords.
‘As much as it’s a pain to do, it comes down to how much value you put on life,’ he added.
Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Source: Brooks Australia
According to Mr Talbot, homes with wall-length furnace heaters are the 'worst by a country mile' for carbon monoxide leaks.
These are often found in older rental properties, and he strongly recommended that rentals with these heaters should have a carbon monoxide detector installed on the ceiling about three metres in front of the heater.
Garages are also a high-risk area for carbon monoxide poisoning.
With many people spending additional time in their garages, the risk of inhaling carbon monoxide from a running car also increases.
Mr Talbot advised installing a detector in the garage as a precaution.
‘You should have one in your garage because I, like a lot of people, pull into their garage at night, I’m on my phone for about 20 minutes,’ he said.
Brooks Australia recommended servicing appliances every two years to prevent CO leaks, including checking that air vents.
Despite the risks, a national Climate Council poll of 1,100 Australians found that only 32 percent were aware that gas in the home posed a significant health hazard.
In previous news, the ACCC issued a recall for the Celmec Heatray IRH-G 118 Overhead Radiant Heater as it posed risks for homeowners through carbon monoxide poisoning.
The recall affected over 100,000 homes.
As we prepare for winter, it's essential to prioritise our health and safety by ensuring our homes are equipped to detect and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Consider having your heating appliances serviced by a professional,
If you haven't yet, invest in a carbon monoxide detector for your home and garage. It's a small price to pay for the peace of mind and safety of you and your loved ones.
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