Swansea fights the silent killer-UK

Swansea Council Energy Advice Centre has been inundated with interest in a new initiative to help protect residents from carbon monoxide poisoning.The Craddock Street service has added to its energy saving services to help reduce the risk of sickness and death from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by appliances or flues not properly installed or maintained.In the first week alone of the service, more than 100 people bought carbon monoxide alarms and many others were given advice at the centre.Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas that can be produced along with other gases when carbon based fuels such as coal, wood or oil are burnt by inefficient or faulty appliances.You can't see it, taste it, or smell it but CO can kill without warning within just a matter or hours and even if a victim survives carbon monoxide poisoning it can result in permanent injury to the body's vital organs.The Council's Energy Advice Centre is offering people information and advice on the issue.It is also offering discount carbon monoxide detectors for £21.00, 50% of the recommended retail price.Visitors can also fill in an energy efficiency audit to see if as well as safer home they could also find ways to live more comfortably, cheaply and environmentally friendly.Anyone who fills in the audit will also receive a free energy saving light bulb to get their energy saving off to a simple start.Pam Walters, Centre manager said: "We are delighted at the response. People are clearly taking the warnings about Carbon Monoxide seriously and we are pleased we can help."Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be lethal, or at the least make you very ill. It doesn't discriminate between age sex or gender."Have your appliances checked annually and consider purchasing a Carbon Monoxide detector."