Grey Poland Unites Religions and Potentially Saves Lives with the Help of Saint Florian
The Polish National Chamber of Chimney Sweeps and representatives of three religions - the Orthodox and Catholic Churches as well as Islam - recently took part in a campaign by Grey Poland teaching people how to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Building on the insight that Grey Poland drew on in a campaign last year - that a clear airstream can prevent lives and that a piece of paper is all that’s needed to test a vent - all that was needed to educate people this time around was a picture of Saint Florian that was distributed during priests’ pastoral visits to Polish homes.
Every year in Poland carbon monoxide poisoning results in almost 100 deaths, and a further 2,000 people are hospitalised. One of the main reasons is insufficient air circulation in homes. This is particularly critical during the heating period, when inefficient ventilation prevents replenishment of fresh air, and pollutants can lead to tragedy.
“Our home is where we feel the safest. It is the one place where we have the impression that nothing is wrong, and that there is no threat,” says Mirosław Antos, Spokesperson for the National Chamber of Chimney Sweeps. “In order to avoid this false security, we must be aware of the risks involved with poisoning and we must be able to monitor them. By clogging the ventilation grills or excessively sealing windows, we block air circulation. These conditions are conducive to the formation of carbon monoxide. When highly concentrated, it can kill in just three seconds.”
Poland is a religious country with a strong tradition of pastoral visits. During pastoral visit priests give away pictures of saints to guard their households from evil and threats, e.g. St Nicolas would keep you safe from robbers, St Christopher from car accidents. This year priests of different religions were handing out pictures of Saint Florian, the patron of firefighters and chimney-sweeps, masterfully created by Tamara Penwell, a painter of religious icons.The picture carried the instruction of how people can check ventilation system in their homes in a very simple and reliable way.In a campaign lasting over 14 months we distributed almost 30 million instructions.
Differences in pressure move the air and flowing air creates a draft in the vent. So, if you place a piece of paper, like the picture of Saint Florian, against a properly working vent inlet, it should stick. If it does not, it’s a sign that the vent is blocked, and you have to call for help. The image is also available for download from www.znakfloriana.pl. The website provides more information about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning. Users can also set reminders via SMS to check home ventilation, which will send an automated message every three months. The idea of the campaign has also been presented in an educational film released online.
