CO Protection for tenants taken seriously in North Derbyshire

North Derbyshire Home Improvement Agency (NDHIA) is fitting Kidde Fyrnetics battery powered carbon monoxide alarms to the homes of old and vulnerable people as part of its innovative ‘Handy Van’ initiative.

NDHIA decided to add CO alarms to the Handy Van programme in North Derbyshire because of growing concerns about the continuing toll of deaths and serious injuries caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.
As a coal mining area, Derbyshire has a long history of solid fuel appliances which are not subject to the same maintenance controls as gas units. This situation is made worse by today’s reduced purchasing from approved coal merchants, who at least advised householders on chimney sweeping.  A move towards burning wood requires more frequent flue cleaning.

There is no question that CO alarms save lives – but only if they work effectively throughout their design lives. Kidde Fyrnetics battery CO alarms sample air every 30 seconds rather than the 80 seconds intervals of some products. Kidde produce their own CO cells – the key component – rather than buying them in, and can therefore apply tighter quality controls.

For example, every Kidde sensor is tested under CO itself in the factory and all products must pass through several key quality testing ‘gates’ before becoming available for sale.  Additionally, safer and greener ionised water is used, not acid-based electrolytes that suffer variations in electrolytic concentrations. All Kidde CO alarms are also BSi ‘Kitemarked’ and CORGI approved.

Mark Wreghitt, NDHIA Home Improvement Agency Manager said: “With more deaths resulting from carbon monoxide poisoning than from domestic fires, over the next twelve months every Handy Van Home Fire Safety Check will include free carbon monoxide alarms, as well as smoke alarms, where needed. Derbyshire has had a Handy Van network since last year.

The Handy Van scheme has helped older and vulnerable residents with Home Security, Home Fire Safety Checks and a range of other practical tasks aimed at promoting independence and energy efficiency. Now, it also provides security against the dangers of carbon monoxide.”