» What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that’s colorless, odourless and tasteless. It’s formed when burning any fuel if the appliance is not properly installed or maintained. Health and Safety Executive statistics show that on average 30 people die annually from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the UK (with many more suffering from CO symptoms).
» How is Carbon Monoxide caused?
It’s produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, such as gas (mains or LPG) coal, oil, coke and wood. Gas fires, stoves, heating boilers, gas-powered water heaters, paraffin heaters and solid fuel powered water heaters are all potential sources of CO.
CO can be produced:
- If an appliance isn’t working/not installed properly
- If an appliance hasn’t been properly maintained or serviced regularly
- Your living area has inadequate ventilation
- The chimney or flue is blocked
- If non Gas Safe™ registered engineers are used to install or maintain appliances
» Warning signs for Carbon Monoxide:
- Yellow or brown staining around or on the appliance
- Pilot lights that frequently blow out
- Increased condensation inside windows
- Yellow rather than blue flame (apart from flueless fires)
- If you suffer any of the following symptoms when an appliance is in use: headaches; nausea; dizziness; TURN IT OFF IMMEDIATELY . Open windows and doors immediately and have the appliance checked by a Gas Safe™ registered engineer. Seek medical attention if required.
» What to do if you think your appliance is producing Carbon Monoxide:
- Switch it off straight away
- Open all windows and doors, then ventilate your living area thoroughly
- Call in a Gas Safe™ registered engineer such as CalorForce to check the appliance
» How to avoid Carbon Monoxide problems
- Invest in a Carbon Monoxide detector which you can purchase from our Toolbox Shop
- Avoid second-hand appliances
- Choose appliances that meet British or European safety standards
- Get a Gas Safe™ registered engineer such as CalorForce to install and check new appliances
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Have appliances serviced annually. Calor offers a heater health check service for all portable heaters
- Keep portable heaters clear of furniture, bedclothes and curtains
- Don’t use portable heaters for drying clothes
- Make sure your living space has adequate ventilation
» Further information
For further information on Carbon Monoxide visit the Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance (COCAA) website.
