2009 The Carbon Monoxide Non Event .......................

The year was but 2 hrs old when we were awakened by a "beeping". I tried to answer the phone but there seemed to be nobody there. It wasn't the phone ... they don't beep. It was the carbon monoxide alarm just outside out bedroom door.

Hmmm? Why is that sounding? The oil furnace isn't running - the heat upstairs is turned right down. The oil fired water heater likely hasn't run since my shower. A check round showed nothing was on fire. Hmmm?

Move detector to bedroom and wait. 20 mins later off it went again. More head scratching. The label says it's 4 yrs old, but the life is supposedly 5 yrs. The label says a fault will be indicated by one beep - not four and fours are what it's sounding.

Vivian goes upstairs to find he "instruction manual" for the device. That gives no clue. Is CO heavier than air? Has the new sliding door to the train room made the bottom of the stairs into a 'well'?

So I phone the operator in search of advice. She gives me the 24 hour Emergency Service number.

I phone them, they advise we dress warmly and leave the house and await the 5th. Cavalry. I decide this isn't a true emergency and choose to disregard this advice - besides it's blowing a gale and snowing like mad - hyperthermia is not for me!

In commendably quick time two tall, yellow clad, helmeted lads arrive (one, complete with O2/air bottle on his back) in their big, all-lights-flashing, truck. Friendly and efficient they ask questions, we tell our story and they go to investigate.

Unfortunately their CO sampling device is on the Fritz so amid radio calls we await another truck. This arrives bringing two more, similarly clad lads plus a smaller guy with a stethoscope (no business for him I'm glad to say). The two trucks are now lighting up the neighbourhood in true festive fashion.

The new tester works and tells of zero CO. Off they all go amid 'Happy New Year' wishes.

Back to bed around four.

Memo to self: Friday, buy new CO detector.

(This is my 81st post. The blog is now over 2yrs old.)