The area’s Scottish Fire and Rescue Service team and charity D&G HandyVan each received 50 carbon monoxide alarms from gas provider SGN.
A partnership between the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), gas provider SGN and charity D&G HandyVan is helping to protect Dumfries and Galloway residents from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Known as a silent killer, carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas produced when fossil fuels fail to burn properly.
Carbon monoxide alarms offer vital warning where a leak occurs and SGN has donated 100 of the potentially life-saving devices to SFRS and D&G HandyVan to help keep potentially vulnerable residents safe in their homes.
Watch Manager Iain Campbell of the area’s SFRS prevention and protection team said: “Emergency responders know of too many incidents where a tragedy could have been prevented if simple steps had been taken.
“When our crews conduct home fire safety visits they check if a property is adequately protected by working smoke alarms and offer to install them where they’re needed.
“Getting these detectors from SGN means our crews will also be able to offer to install a carbon monoxide alarm where they’re needed and D&G HandyVan can supply and fit them to people who benefit from their service.
“It’s a strong partnership that will continue to keep residents safe and can only help to reduce the risk of a tragedy in Dumfries and Galloway.”
Heating and cooking appliances fuelled by coal, wood, oil and gas can all produce carbon monoxide and exposure could be fatal as the gas reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, causing vital organs to fail.
Around 40 people die in the UK are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning each year and many more are thought to unknowingly suffer from the effects of being exposed to low levels of the gas.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include tiredness, dizziness, chest pains and nausea, which can be mistaken for other conditions like food poisoning or flu.
Grant Taylor – SGN safety, health and environment manager – said: “Making this initial donation of 100 alarms to the fire service and to the D&G HandyVan is the first step in what we hope will become a much wider campaign.
“These two organisations are in daily contact with vulnerable people in Dumfries and Galloway and we’ll continue this partnership to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide.
“We’d recommend everyone has an audible carbon monoxide alarm. Knowing the simple warning signs to look out for, such as ‘lazy’ yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones – or black marks on or around the appliance – could save your life.”
A spokesperson for D&G HandyVan added: “We enjoy a very proactive partnership with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Dumfries and Galloway and SGN, working closely with them to make our communities safer for all.
“By providing safety and security services to people who need them by reason of age, disability or social or economic circumstances , we help them remain independent in their own home for as long as possible.
“We serve the whole of Dumfries and Galloway and we would ask anyone looking for further information on the service to call our freephone number 0800 069 9173.”
Anyone who suspects they may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should immediately turn off all appliances, go outside and seek medical attention.
If someone thinks they can smell gas, or that there may be a carbon monoxide leak, they should call the National Gas Emergency Number free on 0800 111 999.
Firefighters can provide support and advice to residents in their communities and anyone who thinks they or someone they know could be at increased risk is urged to contact SFRS for a free home fire safety visit.
To join Scotland’s fight against fire and arrange a visit for you or someone you know, call the freephone number 0800 073 1999 or text ‘FIRE’ to 80800.
The short visits, which are always done at a time convenient for the householder, can also be arranged via the SFRS website www.firescotland.gov.uk.
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