Mid And West Wales Fire And Rescue Service Warns Of The Dangers Of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Leak At Homes

The Community Safety Team at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are urging those with fuel burning appliances, fires, and stoves in the community to install working Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors, following a lucky escape by a Milford Haven resident, after a Safe & Well Visit by the Fire and Rescue Service.

Earlier in October 2021, On-Call Firefighters at the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Neil Phillips and Huw Davies, who are currently assisting the Community Safety Team with Safe and Well Visits at homes, attended a property of a resident in Milford Haven, in the United Kingdom (UK), following a referral from the Pembrokeshire Community Alarm Service.

Pembrokeshire Community Alarm Service

The Pembrokeshire Community Alarm Service is an emergency telephone service with special features

The Pembrokeshire Community Alarm Service is an emergency telephone service with special features to suit the visually impaired, hard of hearing and people with mobility and other disabilities. During their Safe & Well Visit, the firefighters fitted a Carbon Monoxide detector that was linked to the community alarms system, after noting that there was a gas fire appliance within the property.

Later that same day, Milford Haven Fire Station were called to the property, after the CO detector started to sound and automatically dialed out to the alarm system. Crews established that there was a problem with the gas fire within the property and safeguarded the resident, by working with their utilities company, in order to isolate the fireplace.

Carbon Monoxide (CO), a silent killer

Will Stephenson, the Crew Manager for Community Safety at Pembrokeshire Community Alarm Service, stated “Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer and this incident is a clear example of how important Carbon Monoxide detectors are in the home. The team were relieved that they were able to avert a potential tragedy this time and we urge others to consider the risks associated with fuel burning appliances.”

Will Stephenson adds “This incident also emphasizes the importance of working collaboratively with our partner agencies in our communities, as without that referral the consequences could have been much worse and also the importance of our retained firefighters carrying out safe and well visits.”

Stoves, fires, boilers and water heaters can produce CO

Carbon Monoxide can also seep into properties via shared flues or chimneys

Carbon Monoxide is produced when certain fuels are not properly burnt. This includes gas, oil, and solid fuels such as coal, coke, and wood. Carbon Monoxide can also seep into properties via shared flues or chimneys, and can even permeate through brick walls and plaster.

Karen Jones, the Head of Community Safety for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said “Carbon Monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no color, taste or smell. Fuel burning appliances, such as st​oves, fires, boilers and water heaters can produce Carbon Monoxide if they are incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained or if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked.”

Need for functional Carbon Monoxide detectors in homes

Karen Jones adds, “It is vital that those with such appliances ensure that they are serviced regularly, flues are kept clear, homes are well ventilated and working Carbon Monoxide detectors are installed in the correct areas of the home and that they are also regularly tested.”

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has provided elaborate further information on what homeowners and residents can do, in order to prevent Carbon Monoxide poisoning and accumulation at their homes, on the company’s official website.