Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas which has been linked to a range of long-term health conditions and complications, including low birth weight in babies, brain damage and heart disease. Many of us could be being harmed without even knowing, as carbon monoxide cannot be seen, smelled or tasted – this is why it is known as the ‘silent killer’.

Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, coal and wood do not burn fully.

Burning charcoal, running cars and the smoke from cigarettes also produce carbon monoxide gas.

Gas, oil, coal and wood are sources of fuel used in many household appliances, including boilers, gas, fires, central heating systems, water heaters, cookers and open fires

Incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated household appliances, such as cookers, heaters and central heating boilers, are the most common causes of accidental exposure to carbon monoxide.

It’s important to be aware of the dangers and identify any appliances in your house that could potentially leak carbon monoxide.

Boilers, cookers, heating systems and appliances should be installed and regularly serviced by a reputable, registered engineer.

Do not attempt to install or service appliances yourself.

Anyone carrying out work on installations and appliances in your home must be registered with a relevant association, such as the:
Gas Safe Register (for gas appliances)
Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (HETAS) (for solid fuel appliances)
Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) (for oil appliances)

Make sure all chimneys and flues are swept regularly by a qualified sweep who’s a member of the:
National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS)
Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps
Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps (APICS)

Carbon monoxide alarms are no substitute for an annual safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer, however audible carbon monoxide alarms are a good second line of defence against carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide alarms are designed to sound when the concentrations of CO in the air are enough to harm you. A good CO alarm will sound when it detects the gas and it will be loud enough to alert everybody in the house. A CO alarm will sound when there are 50 or more parts per million (PPM) of CO in the air and alarms are designed to sound more quickly when higher and more dangerous concentrations of the gas.

Read more: https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/09/do-you-have-a-safe-and-reliable-carbon-monoxide-alarm-in-your-home/