A FAMILY of four were taken to hospital with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning yesterday when a gas leak in Smallwood led to six homes being evacuated.
Two children and their parents were taken to the Alexandra Hospital after paramedics arrived at the scene on Mount Street just before 8am.
The family, who all said they were feeling unwell, were taken out of the house for an assessment by rescue crews in one of the two waiting ambulances.
Due to the ambulance crew’s initial suspicion that there may be a gas leak, a team from Redditch Fire Station was called along with hazard response specialists and officers from the National Grid.
Firefighters vented the property before trained staff using gas monitoring equipment confirmed there was a carbon monoxide presence in the building.
Nine other people were also checked over but found to be not in need of futher treatment.
Often called the ‘silent killer’, carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which cannot be seen, tasted or smelt.
Once it enters the body, it prevents the blood from carrying oxygen to cells, tissues and organs and kills quickly, with no warning.
Although not always fatal, any levels of carbon monoxide can cause serious harm, and in extreme cases, can lead to paralysis and brain damage.
Symptoms include headaches or dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, tiredness, pains in the chest or stomach, loss of consciousness, erratic behaviour and visual problems.
In the wake of Thursday’s evacuation, residents are being reminded they can guard against a similar event by being aware of the tell-tale signs that carbon monoxide is being produced.
These include, yellow or orange rather than blue flames (except fuel-effect fires or fuel-less appliances that display this colour flame), soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances, pilot lights that frequently blow out and increased condensation on windows.
Anyone who suspects someone is suffering from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning and/or is unconscious within their home, should immediately call 999 from outside the property and ask for the Fire and Ambulance Services.
Carbon monoxide alarms are available from many stores and in October last year, it became compulsory for all landlords to fit working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their properties. Failure to comply with that law could mean them facing fines up to £5,000.
