Children Draw The Invisible Carbon Monoxide Monster - But Would You Recognise It?

Shocking new research reveals the risks some UK families are taking when it comes to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

More than a third of UK homes (33.9%) aren’t fitted with a CO alarm (approximately 9 million homes) and only 6% of Brits can identify the most common symptoms of CO poisoning.

One in 10 UK parents wrongly think you can smell a CO leak and only half the UK (51.5%) know that a solid fuel or gas fire can be a potential cause of CO poisoning.

One in 10 private renters (9.7%) who should legally have a CO alarm, haven’t had one fitted.

For this year’s Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (21st November - 27th November), the energy company npower has released findings from its annual carbon monoxide (CO) research to highlight how at risk the UK could be from CO poisoning.

The results show there is a clear disparity between the UK’s awareness of CO poisoning and the UK’s actual understanding of what the symptoms are, which appliances can be a cause and also what people should do if they suspect they are suffering from CO poisoning.

The research also sheds light on how British parents could be worryingly underprepared to spot cases of CO poisoning. Despite 95 per cent of UK parents (95.3%) saying they know CO poisoning can be fatal, less than five per cent (4.3%) are actually able to correctly identify the most common symptoms.

Dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, tiredness and confusion, stomach pain, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are the most common symptoms of CO poisoning. But, one in six people (15.7%) think a metallic taste in your mouth is a symptom and one in five (17.3%) think a fever would be a symptom.

Further cause for concern is that one in eight of us (11.6%) wrongly think you can smell a CO leak, and one in 10 Brits (10.2%) admit they would have absolutely no idea how to identify a CO leak.

Each year in the UK over 200 people are admitted to hospital with suspected CO poisoning and around 50 people die unnecessarily from it.

This new research suggests people in the UK are unaware of what the symptoms of CO poisoning are, so the true number of people affected could potentially be much higher.

Carbon monoxide is completely invisible, it has no smell and no taste, so the only definitive way to detect a leak is with a CO alarm, but despite this only two thirds of UK homes (59.2%) have one installed.

The top three reasons people gave to justify not having a CO alarm were: ‘I’ve never had one before’ (28.3%), ‘It’s on my to-do list, I just haven’t done it yet’ (28.1%) and ‘I don’t think I need one’ (22.5%).

To raise awareness of this silent killer, Carbon Monoxide, npower asked 6 children to draw what they thought the deadly gas would look like if it wasn't invisible -"The Invisible Carbon Monoxide Monster".  A group of talented designers then interpreted the children's drawings and brought them to life.

Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal and wood don't burn fully, so incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated household appliances like boilers, cookers and fires – both gas and solid fuel, can all be causes of CO poisoning.

Between 1995 and 2015, only 35 per cent of deaths from CO poisoning were actually from mains gas appliances or heating. It was in fact appliances that burn solid fuel, portable gas bottles and, petrol and diesel that represented the majority of the remaining 65 per cent. However, when respondents were asked which household appliances could be a cause of CO poisoning, only half (51.5%) know that a solid fuel or gas fire can be a potential cause.

The research also shows that almost six per cent (5.9%) of us have never had our boilers serviced, which could be around 1.5 million homes. And, one in 10 people who live in privately rented accommodation (9.7%) who legally should have had a CO alarm fitted by their landlord (because their rented home has an appliance that burns, or is capable of burning solid fuel), do not have one installed.

When respondents were asked what they would do if they thought they were suffering from CO poisoning, only two thirds (69.8%) said they would go to hospital.

If you suspect you or someone you know is suffering from CO poisoning, you need to turn off the fuel source and get medical treatment immediately.

Installing carbon monoxide alarms and getting your boiler serviced should also be carried out with all due speed - especially during the festive period when more time than usual may be spent at home.

Read more

How To Stay Healthy In The Office

Much has been written these days about the dangers of spending too long sitting down.  You may even have heard it said that "sitting is the new smoking".

Sitting for too long is said to cause the following:-

*obesity
*increased blood pressure
*high blood sugar
*excess body fat around the waist
*abnormal cholesterol levels

You get the general picture.  I'm sure you've seen pictures of state-of-the-art standing desks where you literally stand in front of your desktop to work, or even desks where you can walk and exercise at the same time.

But how many businesses can afford to supply these to their staff?  And what can you do when your job involves sitting down all day at a computer?  Perhaps you work in a call centre or have an office role.

Not only does sitting for too long come with all the long-term risks mentioned above, sitting in a chair which does not properly support your back can give you problems and then there's the general fatigue and lack of mental alertness which a lack of fresh air brings.

Add in tired, gritty eyes and possible dehydration if there's no fresh water to hand or you don't get time for a cuppa and it's a recipe for poor health.

So what can you do to not only curb the effects of sitting all day, but stay healthy when you work in an office?

Here are some simple tips to try.

Have a healthy breakfast

Start the day with a healthy breakfast with some slow release carbs (e.g. porridge) or some protein (poached egg on toast).  Sugary cereal will do nothing to keep you feeling full for very long.

Snack wisely

Try to avoid the usual sugary sweets, biscuits and cakes.  On the other hand, don't be a total misery and always refuse the doughnuts and cupcakes the birthday boys and girls might offer.  You don't have to eat all of it (no, I've never managed that either) and don't forget to return the favour.  You don't have to buy one for yourself (once again, I've never managed that either).

You could bring some fruit, cubed cheese or some almonds to snack on which should keep you going till lunch.

Drink plenty of water

I appreciate this is incredibly basic advice but how many of us actually do it?  Mainlining on constant caffeine will leave you twitchy, hungry and dehydrated.

Take a break from the screen

Protect your eyes by taking regular screen breaks roughly every 20 minutes of so. This can be something simple like gazing out of the window for a few minutes.  If you're questioned you can say you're just refining your mastery strategy for business domination.

Get up and walk around

My physio says that sitting in one position for longer than 45 minutes is asking for trouble - and he should know because he's a football referee as well.

Do back exercises at home

You don't need a fully equipped gym - just a well padded exercise mat and about 15 minutes.  You can find some very simple, but effective back exercises on the NHS's website. Bear in mind that you need to do these consistently, even (and this is key) if your back feels OK.

Invest in some back support

You can get back support cushions, wrist and foot rests.  If you have problems talk to your HR department to see if there is anything they can supply.

Clean Your Desk

Yes I know.  It's not your job but since your keyboard, mouse and phone harbor germs, viruses and bacteria, frankly, I was quite happy to give my desk a weekly once-over with disinfecting wipes - particularly the phone!

There's something immensely satisfying about it too because you can go through your filing trays and sort out that 'wodge' of post you've been avoiding at the same time.

Wash Your Hands

It never fails to astound me how many people seem to have no clue what a toilet flush does.  I'm assuming these people just have a hole in the ground at home or a bucket.  Washing your hands is vital - and slathering your hands in hand-sanitizer is a good idea too.

Wash your own cup

I've worked in offices where mugs were just dumped in bowl of lukewarm soapy water and left to 'soak' overnight.  Your first morning cuppa would have the unmistakeable 'tang' of industrial washing up liquid and probably a colleague's lipstick.  Washing your own cup (even taking it home!) is a good idea.

And let's not even think about the microwave.  The same people who are toilet flush-averse seem to struggle with the idea that covering food means no baked bean or pasta sauce explosion.  Yeuch.

Ask about Health & Safety Training

Lots of businesses these days train staff in-house to take on vital roles such as first-aiders and fire wardens. There is also a growing need for workplace health & safety experts, ideally located in-house as part of the management team, so that the working conditions of the staff can be consistently monitored and adapted as the business grows.

Whilst workplace health and safety is often outsourced, it is possible to study for a NEBOSH Health & Safety Qualification online. (NEBOSH = National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) and you may find that your company is willing to help you take your career down this route. You could suggest a provider such as Sheilds NEBOSH Training UK

It is up to your employer to ensure that you work in as safe an environment as possible.  Your employer has a duty of care towards you.  An employment contract is a two-way agreement.

But sometimes, life being what it is, it is just sensible to make sure that we are looking after ourselves properly and speaking up when we see things that aren't right or are likely to endanger our colleagues.

You spend most of your waking hours at work.  Make sure this time isn't negatively affecting your health.

Read more

Firework Lovers - Will Your Private Display Be Breaking The Law?

It's Bonfire Night on Saturday and I'm sure many people are planning small get-togethers with family and friends for a few fireworks, but did you know that as an organiser of these events you will be subject to the 2004 Fireworks Regulations?

The days of just a humble sparkler in the back garden are long gone

Event insurers Arag.co.uk are warning private firework party organisers about the legal responsibilities and risks that garden displays entail ahead of Bonfire Night - and there could be stiff penalties handed out to amateur pyrotechnicians who breach these regulations.

ARAG’s checklist for anyone planning garden displays this weekend is:

• Keep it at home - It has been illegal to set off fireworks “in or into any highway, street, thoroughfare or public place” since the Explosives Act of 1875

• Adults only - Possession of category 2 (garden) and category 3 (display) fireworks in a public place by anyone under the age of 18 is also an offence

• No pro, no show - Only pyrotechnics professionals are legally allowed to buy or possess category 4 (public display) fireworks

• Observe the curfew - Private firework displays must normally end by 11pm but the curfew is extended to midnight on November 5

You can find more safety tips for bonfire night, including a downloadable guide at bonfire-night-safety.co.uk.

The penalty for breaching the regulations is a fine of up to £5,000 or up to 6 months in prison. Such offences can also be dealt with through on-the-spot fines of £90.

Anyone hosting a private party or setting off fireworks could also face civil action if a guest is injured by a firework or the bonfire.

And of course there's the potential distress to our pets.

This is, of course, all well and good but I hope that these regulations are enforced.

I also think it's time to supermarkets and other major retailers to review their policy on selling fireworks direct to the general public.

Having listened to fireworks being let off in the streets around me in the middle of the night for days now, I suspect there are quite a few who would agree with me.

Read more

Michelin Star BBQ Cleaning Tips From Steve Smith @Bohemia Jersey

Michelin Star Chef Steve Smith at the Bohemia Restaurant in Jersey is on a mission to get us all barbecuing safely and cleanly.  (You can find his tips on barbecuing food safely here.)

As it was such a beautiful day yesterday, we cranked up our barbecue, fondly known as "Deep Thought" (due to its resemblance to the Hitchhikers' Guide To The Galaxy Supercomputer when wearing its cover) and The Husband treated us to some lovely chicken kebabs.

I'm sure everyone has much the same conversation after using their barbecue.  "Shall we clean it now?", "um, no let's wait for it to cool down"...... and then many many hours may pass.

This means, of course, that the next time you want to use it, you have to spend 45 minutes cleaning the darn thing first.

I don't need to remind you that it is important to clean your BBQ regularly to prevent food poisoning and to prolong the life of the BBQ, do I?

To make this joyous task a little easier, here are Steve's tips.

Preheat the Grill

Clean the grill just after preheating it, this way the grease and food will scrape off easily.

Grab an Onion

To remove all of the grit, place a half cut onion on the end of a fork and rub onto a hot grill.

Prevent rusting

Clean your grill with soapy water after cooking, then rinse and dry immediately and rub vegetable oil across the grill to prevent rust.

Don’t throw water

If you are using a charcoal grill, then do not throw cold water over the coals after cooking as this will create a mess!

Crack open a Beer

Pour half a bottle of beer over a heated BBQ then rub with newspaper for a clean grill. Then you enjoy the rest of the beer for yourself!  (I'm assuming wearing protective gloves -for the cleaning not the beer drinking!)

Steve Smith - Head Chef @Bohemia, Jersey

Create a Paste

Mix baking soda and water to make a paste then cover the grill in it with a wire brush. Let it dry for 15 minutes then wipe the grill with a dry cloth and place it over the hot coals for 15 minutes to burn off any remains before cooking the food.

And, as ever, keep children and pets well away.

Have you any cleaning shortcuts you can share?

Bohemia Bar & Restaurant is the only restaurant in the Channel Islands to be listed in The Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants. Visit www.bohemiajersey.com for more information.

Read more

Kids - Design A Health & Safety Poster & Win With The Accident Advice Helpline

In my days at 'The Law Firm', you would have expected the emphasis to be on ensuring all health and safety procedures were followed to the letter.

This was not always the case, although the basics were always adhered to.  We had fire alarm drills, kept the fire exits clear and knew where our fire assembly points were.

Caitlin

But using the office microwave and kettle or risking the lift was another matter.  Whilst we had 'ergonomically designed' office chairs (for our backs), wrist rests and foot supports for those of us who spent our days at a keyboard, we could easily put ourselves in traction by lifting heavy boxes of legal files.

In the marketing department, lugging exhibition stands, a projector, laptop and boxes of brochures was a regular occurrence. As was setting up rooms for presentations which meant moving tables and chairs, often unaided.

The Health & Safety Executive's report "Costs to Britain of workplace fatalities and self-reported injuries and ill health, 2013/14" states:-

"Latest estimates show that annually over 600,000 workers are injured in workplace accidents and a further 500,000 workers suffer a new case of ill health which they believe is caused or made worse by their work."

The cost of this was estimated to be £14.3 billion. Of this vast figure, £8.2 billion was borne by the individuals - workers like you and I.  And bear in mind that these are just the self-reported accidents.

Poor health and safety procedures affect all of us as individuals, employees, employers and tax payers and, frustratingly, most of the time work-based accidents can be avoided.

To raise awareness of this issue, the Accident Advice Helpline has put together a competition that aims to raise awareness of Health and Safety through the work of children.

They are asking children under the age of 16 to design a poster illustrating any aspect relating to health and safety, and in particular showing how accidents can be avoided.

Caitlin adores drawing and, like her mother, is more risk averse than Ieuan who goes everywhere head-first these days brandishing one of his extensive collection of light sabres.

I have explained to him that there is only so much "The Force" can do to prevent accidents but to little avail.

So Caitlin was happy to design a poster and chose to highlight accidents that might happen at school.

Caitlin working on her poster

I think she came up with a good list, don't you?  I must confess I can still hear my old headmistress bellowing "no running in the corridors" at me!

The finished poster

Why not get your kids to enter?

The winner will be awarded a £100 Amazon Voucher and one runner up will receive a £25 Amazon voucher.

Enter your poster by posting it on Twitter using the hashtag #aahhealthandsafety or by emailing your poster to aahhealthandsafetyposter@gmail.com.  Note that the entry must be tweeted or emailed by a parent or guardian over the age of 18 and you must live in the UK.

All posters must be received by midnight on May 21st 2016 to be in with a chance of winning.

Click here for more information about the competition including the terms and conditions.

Good luck and stay safe!

Read more

7 Signs You Need To Replace Your Electric Blanket

Now that it's getting colder, many of us are getting out heavier weight duvets, throws and electric blankets to keep warm.

But did you know that more than 5,000 house fires each year are caused by faulty electric blankets?

In most instances, the electric blanket was already showing signs of needing to be replaced - but would you know what these signs are?

Bedding specialists Sleepy People have put together an infographic which highlights 7 signs which quickly and easily show that a blanket shouldn't be used.

It really isn't worth taking a risk when you can get a new electric blanket like the Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket for £21.99.

It's definitely better to be safe (and warm) than sorry.

Read more