Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Do you know if your gas appliances are safe or are they emitting a deadly poisonous gas called carbon monoxide (CO).

You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but if your gas appliances are not running correctly it could be in your home and it can kill quickly, without warning.

Carbon monoxide produces flu like symptoms and affects the frail, sick and elderly even more than others. Look for the warning signs in yourself and those you live with including your pets. If you are experiencing headaches, dizziness, nausea and breathlessness there is a chance that you may have poisonous CO gasses in the house. This could easily lead to loss of consciousness, brain damage and death. Carbon monoxide can manifest as flu like symptoms, food poisoning, viral infections or simply tiredness so it is easy to mistake the gas for other things. Being aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning could save the lives of yourself and loved ones. Other things to check are whether you feel better when you are away from the house, whether you are unwell only when at home, or if others in your household are also experiencing the same symptoms.

If you think you might have CO in the house get fresh air immediately, open all doors and windows and leave the house. Try to turn of the gas at the mains. Your doctor or hospital can check you for CO poisoning. Ask them to do a breath or blood check. Call the Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999 this line is open at all times. Get a Gas Safe Registered engineer to come out and check your appliances for any leaks, never assume your appliances are safe and have these done yearly. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when appliances leak gases that have incompletely burned. These gases are gas and LPG (liquid petroleum gas). Carbon monoxide can also be caused by burning of oil, coal, petrol and wood.

One way to check that your appliances are burning all of the gas is to look for a steady blue flame rather than a lazy orange or yellow flame. You can also look for soot or brown staining on appliances, pilot lights that often blow out and increased condensation inside the windows. All of these things can occur when an appliances has been incorrectly fitted. It is important even with new appliances that they are well maintained and any repairs must be done by a registered gas safe technician. Another thing to check is that chimneys and flues and vents are all clear and that there are no blockages.

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when you breathe in even small amounts of the gas. This deprives the red blood cells in your blood from carrying oxygen to the brain and even very small amounts can cause damage to tissues and cells. This can result in brain damage and paralysis when breathed in over long periods of time. This happens mainly because people are unaware of the signs and do not regularly have their appliance checked.

Another safety measure is to install an audible carbon monoxide alarm in the house. Do not be tempted to use an alarm instead of a Gas Registered Engineer. Alarms are very much like smoke alarms and are simple to fit. You can buy one for under £20 at your local DIY store, energy supplier or supermarket. An officially approved alarm will have a mark on it such as a Kitemark which is a European and British standard of approval. Be sure to always use an audible alarm as an alarm which shows a light will not alert you while you are sleeping which is when you are particularly at risk. Don’t forget to regularly change the batteries in your alarm and if you are having difficulty fitting it ask your registered gas safe engineer to fit it for you.