Healthier homes
Towards healthy homes at B&Q
B&Q aims to help customers to enjoy better homes, reducing the risks that may be posed by some chemicals and helping to make our homes safer.
At B&Q, we pioneered reducing the fumes from paint by introducing VOC labels (volatile organic compounds). This has helped us to reduce the solvent levels in our paint – all of our own-label emulsions are now water based with minimal levels of VOCs. We have taken action to remove DEHP, a phthalate, from shower curtains and hose pipes. We have stopped selling the 3 neonicotinoid pesticides associated with bee colony collapse: imidacloprid, thiacloprid and clothianidin.
At home, actions to improve safety and improve health can include fitting smoke and CO alarms, choosing chemicals carefully and keeping active.
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Did you know that barbecues should never be used inside a tent?
Charcoal barbecues should only be used outside so that there is plenty of ventilation. If used inside, there is a high risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO fumes are deadly and have no smell – there have been some tragic accidents at campsites linked to using charcoal barbecues in tents.
Never take a smouldering barbecue into a tent, tent canopy or caravan awning – as well posing a CO risk, fire is also a major danger.
Other ways to reduce the risk of CO poisoning include:
1. Ensure that your gas boiler and gas fire are regularly serviced.
2. Install a CO detector and check that it works regularly.