Why getting your heaters checked may save your life in winter

As the winter chill sets in remember to get your gas heaters checked, to ensure carbon monoxide won’t be a risk to your householders and your families.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, and highly poisonous gas produced by the incomplete combustion of gaseous fuels where gas appliances are not installed or maintained properly.

Gas heaters leaking carbon monoxide need to be maintained, and regularly checked especially older ones in owner occupied homes and those in rental properties.

Faulty or poorly maintained gas appliances present a very high risk of causing carbon monoxide poisoning, which at dangerous levels can cause chronic illness, and at deadly levels, death.

The human body doesn’t recognise when carbon monoxide is present and that is why carbon monoxide is often referred to as the silent killer. Many lives have been lost in circumstances that were preventable due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

With the cost of living so high you might feel skipping getting your gas heater service is a good way to save money. But this could be one of the most important things you do this winter, and nothing is worth more than your life.

Why is Carbone monoxide harmful?

Carbon monoxide is harmful when breathed because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen. Large amounts of CO can overcome you in minutes without warning — causing you to lose consciousness and suffocate.

Acute poisoning may result in permanent damage to the parts of your body that require a lot of oxygen such as the heart and brain.

Within a couple of hours, you may start experiencing a slight headache, fatigue, nausea, or dizziness. After three hours, the effects can be more be life threatening.

Every homeowner; real estate agent; government body and, every tenant – via their landlord – should take active steps in protecting themselves, persons they have a legal responsibility and duty to protect and of course their loved ones.

Three simple ways to do this are:

• Have all gas appliances fitted by a licensed gasfitter.
• Servicing all gas appliances regularly, as per the manufacturer's recommendation or at least every two years as recommended by Energy Safe Victoria.
• Having a high standard audible carbon monoxide alarm fitted outside sleeping areas and living areas.

Now we’re in the winter season, have your gas heater serviced and continue servicing it at least once every two years. A qualified registered gasfitter can install and properly look after the servicing of a gas heater.

These preventative measures are inexpensive and more importantly can save lives. So as the weather cools in Australia, make sure your home isn’t harbouring a silent killer.