Dangerous carbon monoxide alarms being sold at major retailers online
A consumer watchdog has warned that dangerous carbon monoxide alarms are being sold online. The alarms, which were found on eBay, Amazon, AliExpress, and Wish, failed to detect high levels of the potentially lethal gas.
Which?, the consumer watchdog, tested 20 carbon monoxide alarms from various retailers. Five of the alarms failed to detect carbon monoxide at levels that could be harmful to human health. One alarm failed to trigger 22 times when carbon monoxide was in the air, while another product didn't sound in 15 separate tests.
Which? is concerned that these alarms could put people's lives at risk. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can be deadly. It is produced by fuel-burning appliances, such as boilers, cookers, and fires. If carbon monoxide builds up in a home, it can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even death.
Which? has called on the government to take action to prevent these dangerous alarms from being sold online. The watchdog also recommends that consumers only buy carbon monoxide alarms from reputable retailers.
What to look for when buying a carbon monoxide alarm
When buying a carbon monoxide alarm, it is important to look for one that meets the following standards:
- BS EN 50291: This is the British Standard for carbon monoxide alarms. It sets out the minimum requirements for alarms, including their sensitivity, accuracy, and durability.
For better peace of mind, it is strongly recommended to purchase alarms which have been third-party tested and certified to the above standard by trusted approval bodies such as the British Standards Institute who award the prestigious and globally recognised Kitemark certification.
It is also strongly recommended to purchase alarms made by established and trusted manufacturers who offer a full guarantee/warranty on their products (usually a minimum of 5 years).
Where to buy a reliable carbon monoxide alarm
You can purchase trustworthy carbon monoxide alarms from a variety of retailers and distributors both in stores or online. It is strongly recommended to purchase from a specialist seller who only offers approved and certified alarms such as Safe Fire Direct.
We are a reputable distributor of high-quality and reliable CO alarms from established industry-leading manufacturers. We only sell carbon monoxide alarms which have been third-party tested and certified by an approval body such as BSi and hold a valid Kitemark approval or equivalent. All of our alarms also come complete with a full manufacturer warranty (usually 5+ years).
If you are looking for a safe and reliable carbon monoxide alarm, we encourage you to buy one from us and are confident that all alarms we supply provide the highest standards of safety available on the market.
Additional tips for staying safe from carbon monoxide
Read the original Which? article for further information: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/killer-carbon-monoxide-alarms-still-on-sale-through-online-marketplaces-awai88X3LNnt
