Now that the heating is back on, the fire brigade warns of a silent killer: the central heating boiler.
October 18, Rotterdam: Four people hospitalized after inhaling carbon monoxide.
October 29, Helvoirt: two adults and two children collapse in their home. Cause: carbon monoxide.
October 31, Amsterdam: two people injured after inhaling carbon monoxide at home.
November 7, Groningen: family to UMCG after becoming unwell due to carbon monoxide.
A selection of the news reports about injuries caused by carbon monoxide. Anyone who thinks that these are caused by only old geysers and gas heaters is mistaken. Often (modern) central heating boilers are the culprit, according to the Fire Brigade.
In half of the cases, it concerns an incorrectly installed or poorly maintained boiler. The carbon monoxide that is released is a silent killer. Odorless and the symptoms are a bit like the flu: headache, nausea and fatigue. At high concentrations, the consequences are more serious, such as unconsciousness, coma and eventually even death.
What to do?
- Have the CV serviced annually.
- Hang carbon monoxide meters in the room where the boiler, geyser or stove is.
- Ventilate continuously. make sure that a window or grille is always open.
- Check the drain regularly or have it done.
