Carbon monoxide
You are at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning if a heating appliance is not working correctly.
Carbon monoxide is odourless, colourless and tasteless, which makes it difficult to detect. However its effects are deadly. On average, 50 people a year are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty heating appliances.
Most cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are due to inadequate ventilation or poor maintenance of appliances, blocked or leaky flues and chimneys. Chimneys can become blocked for various reasons. It could be as a result of birds nesting on the chimney, or possible degradation of the flue. A blocked flue can lead to carbon monoxide leaking into your home.
Carbon monoxide can be deadly if inhaled in confined spaces. You are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if a heating appliance is poorly installed, not working correctly, has not been checked for safety or is not maintained regularly.
Any heating appliance that uses gas, coal, wood or oil can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide if not working correctly. Carbon monoxide is odourless, tasteless and invisible, so it is important to ensure heating appliances are working correctly and safely.
The best way to protect yourself and your family is to install a carbon monoxide detector. Regular smoke detectors do not detect carbon monoxide!
How do I know if I am suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning?
CO poisoning is difficult to diagnose, because its symptoms are similar to other common diseases, such as the 'flu'. Carbon monoxide is often called "The Great Imitator". Symptoms of low level CO poisoning include headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells and confusion. There are, however, a few hints that can help to identify carbon monoxide poisoning in your home:
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Are other members of the household feeling ill as well?
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Do you feel better when you are away from the house for a period of time?
If so, you may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
To be sure, see a physician and request a carboxyhaemoglobin test. This will determine the percentage of carbon monoxide present in your blood.
What do I do if my carbon monoxide detector goes off?
Get out of the house immediately. Have a plan that includes a pre-designated meeting place, so all members of the home can be accounted for. (Fatalities can occur when people re-enter the home in search of loved ones or friends). Contact the emergency services from a neighbour's home and ask for the fire rescue services and ambulance. Seek medical advice as soon as possible. Make contact with the company who would normally service the appliance that is likely to have caused the detector to go off. In the case of gas being the source, contact your CORGI registered installer. If in doubt, contact your gas board during office hours.
What should I look for on my gas appliances to see if carbon monoxide could be a problem?
Check for signs of staining, sooting or discoloration on or around gas boilers, fires and water heaters. Check pilot lights and other gas flames that normally burn blue. If the flame changes to yellow or orange, it could mean that carbon monoxide is present.
How often should you check your appliances?
If you have a gas fire, make sure it is checked regularly. Check any flames are burning blue and not yellow or orange. If they’re not burning properly, they could be producing carbon monoxide, which is potentially deadly. Make sure that you get your boiler checked annually by British Gas or another CORGI-registered engineer to keep yourself safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide.
Further information on carbon monoxide poisoning can be found on the NHS Direct| website.