A Southall family escaped serious carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning thanks to their detection alarm alerting them to the harmful gas in their home.
A man and a woman and their five children evacuated the property on Jasmine Close after hearing the carbon monoxide alarm sounding in their kitchen.
Southall Watch Manager Grant Bishop said:
“I’m in no doubt that without a working carbon monoxide alarm this incident could have been a lot worse for the family. When they heard the alarm the family quickly left the property which also helped the exposure to the killer gas. They were all showing signs of low level carbon monoxide poisoning and where taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews.
“You can't taste, see or smell CO fumes, but it can kill in minutes. It's really important to fit a carbon monoxide alarm in all rooms containing solid fuel gas, or paraffin heaters. It's also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, and learn what to do if you suspect someone may be affected.”
The Brigade was called at 2114 and the incident was over for the Brigade by 2214. Fire crews from Southall, Ealing, Wembley and Euston fire stations were at the scene.
These symptoms also apply to your pets – so keep an eye on them too. It's also really important to spend a few pounds on a carbon monoxide alarm. Poisoning symptoms can easily be confused with just feeling unwell, which is why CO poisoning is so dangerous, and so often missed.