Carbon Monoxide: what you need to know
In your home you may have a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector. It’s there to tell you if there’s a build-up of CO gas, as this could be fatal. It sounds worrying but if you ensure your detector is working and you keep your annual gas safety check appointment, you can help protect yourself and your family.
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Stay safe in your home
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide is a gas that’s produced when fossil fuels, such as gas, wood and oil are burned incorrectly. You can’t see it and it doesn’t have a taste or smell. Usually the small amounts produced will escape through the ventilation system but if a gas appliance has a fault, or its ventilation is blocked, CO can build up in the home.
Why is it dangerous?
When breathed in, carbon monoxide can stop oxygen from getting into your blood stream and to your vital organs. If you breathe in a lot, you could lose consciousness and even suffocate.
What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
- Signs of CO poisoning include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Breathlessness
- Nausea
- Collapse
- Loss of consciousness.
What do I do if my CO detector sounds an alarm or I think someone in my home has been affected by CO?
If your detector alarm sounds immediately leave and call 0800 111 999 for an emergency call out to check your gas supply. If someone in your home has symptoms, leave, get medical help and then call the number above for an emergency check.
How can I prevent CO in my home?
Please ensure you book your annual gas safety check when invited to and keep the appointment.
During the check, we will ensure that you have a carbon monoxide detector near your gas boiler, and also your gas cooker, if you have one. We will test your detectors to make sure they’re working.
If you think you have a CO detector missing, please contact us. We can check this and arrange for one to be fitted. All detectors have a test button, you can test regularly. There are different types of detectors but instructions can easily be found via a web search engine if you don’t have them to hand.