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Silent killer survivor says don’t risk lives
A PENSIONER saved from a silent killer is urging people not to risk their lives for the sake of saving a few pounds.
Irene Woolgar, 84, was at home in her bungalow in Burgess Hill when the loud alarm alerted her to deadly carbon monoxide fumes in her kitchen.
Tests by safety specialists after help was called for showed a faulty boiler needed replacing.
And Irene is in no doubt the cost of about £20 for the alarm was money well spent.
She told the Middy: “I don’t want a big fuss, but I don’t want someone dying just because of the lack of a little box on the wall.
“I could have died if I’d gone to bed and the fumes were coming out and I didn’t know about them. I am sure I wouldn’t have woken up in the morning. It was the boiler, I needed a new one and thank goodness I have got one now.”
She added: “It was very loud, but that’s what you need when you are older and perhaps a bit hard of hearing.
“I pressed the alarm that is hanging round my neck and it was all sorted out eventually.
“But if it wasn’t for the alarm goodness knows what might have happened.”
The alarm had been fitted on the advice of the fire and rescue service as a follow-up to checks on smoke detectors in the hall last summer.
Immediately after the incident Irene contacted community risk reduction advisor for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Mark Holland, who had earlier advised her to install the alarm, to thank him.
Mark said: “Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and tasteless poisonous gas often referred to as a ‘silent killer’. It can leak from boilers, gas appliances, solid fuel fires and flues that have not been maintained and have become blocked.
“Thankfully, following a Home Fire Safety Check and advice from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Woolgar purchased a carbon monoxide detector, which alerted her to the leak. Sensibly, she immediately took the right action by ventilating the area and calling the emergency gas line.
“Carbon monoxide alarms are really a second line of defence. Your first line of defence is to ensure that fuel burning appliances are properly installed, maintained and vented.
“We would also encourage all residents to find out if they are eligible for a Home Fire Safety Check by calling 0800 3286 487 so we can talk them through ways of reducing the risk and to advise on the location of smoke alarms.”
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Weather for Haywards Heath
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
