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Carbon monoxide safety

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels. It is emitted by domestic appliances such as boilers, fires and heaters – but excessive levels generated by faulty appliances can kill.	Awareness of carbon monoxide poisoning is increasing all the time, but leaks remain notoriously difficult to detect. Carbon monoxide (CO) has no smell, colour or taste - so it can affect you before you even know it’s there.

CO detectors are the only way of alerting yourself to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home. Smoke alarms do not function as carbon monoxide detectors.

Different types of CO detectors are available – some with an audible alarm and others which change colour upon detection of the gas. An alarm has the advantage that it can wake you if CO is detected as you sleep, but if it’s battery operated you’ll need to test it each week or so to ensure it’s in full working order.

In addition to having an alarm fitted, take the following steps to minimise your chances of suffering the effects of CO poisoning.


Regular appliance maintenance Domestic appliances such as fires and cookers should be checked by a qualified, registered engineer every year without fail. In the meantime, if you are at all concerned about how an appliance is functioning, switch it off and don’t use it until you can get it checked by an expert. If any of your appliances are burning with an orange flame, it’s cause for serious concern. A blue flame is much healthier, but even this does not guarantee an appliance is safe.

Ventilation Check your air vents and window trickle vents, making sure they are not blocked or obstructed in any way. This is especially important in rooms containing fuel-burning appliances. Lack of air supply leads to poor combustion in your appliances, which can in turn cause the production of excess carbon monoxide. If possible, check the flue for obstructions such as bird’s nests, which may be preventing gases from escaping.

Symptoms Even if you have a number of measures in place to combat carbon monoxide at your home, there remains a possibility that you could be exposed to the gas. Fatigue, muscle pains, headaches, dizziness, stomach aches, nausea, lack of concentration and memory loss are all symptoms of CO poisoning. If you feel you may be suffering the effects of carbon monoxide exposure, visit your doctor and ask for a CohB test. The test measures the levels of carbon monoxide in your bloodstream and can help to avoid a misdiagnosis.


	Fire safety A fire in your home is one of the most distressing things. Read the article


www.carbonmonoxidekills.com - Carbon Monoxide Awareness Campaign