Carbon Monoxide - Advice For Students in Rented Accommodation

Students who choose their term timeshould purchase one yourself from a DIY store
accommodation based on its distance from theand carefully follow CORGI's instructions on fitting
nearest shopping centre or night club are beingit, or alternatively ask a CORGI registered heating
urged by CORGI to take more care over theirengineer to install one for you.
selection.Being aware of the symptoms of carbon
If you are a student living away from home thenmonoxide poisoning is crucial. Do not ignore things
you could be in one of the most vulnerablelike nausea, lethargy, headaches and dizziness,
groups of people at risk from carbon monoxideeven if you think it could just be a cold, flu or
poisoning. The potentially lethal gas can escapeover-indulgence the night before. Also, be on your
through appliances like boilers or gas fires thatguard when excessive condensation appears in a
have not been properly installed or serviced androom, black or yellow stains are apparent on gas
because you cannot smell it you will not know it isappliances or pilot lights blow out frequently as all
there; hence the name 'silent killer'.these things could indicate the presence of carbon
Landlords must make sure that all gas appliancesmonoxide.If you notice anything out of the
in their rented properties are safety checked on aordinary concerning your gas appliances then you
regular basis but as the tenant you should nevershould immediately arrange for a CORGI
make assumptions where something so vital isregistered engineer to call, whether it is through
concerned. The advice according to CORGI is tothe landlord or directly.
ask the landlord for an up-to-date gas safetyCarbon monoxide is the silent killer; as a student
record and a carbon monoxide alarm and ifyou should be far from silent if you are in any
possible to check that the flame on gas appliancesdoubt whatsoever about gas safety in your term
is blue and stable. If the landlord does not agreetime rented accommodation.
to provide a carbon monoxide alarm then you