Gas safety and carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by faulty or badly serviced gas and other fossil fuel burning appliances and systems such as coal, oil or wood.
Gas safety
If you have a gas appliance, it should be properly installed and maintained at regular intervals by an engineer who is on the Gas Safe Register.
If you have any doubts about the safety of your gas appliances, contact your local Gas Safe Registered engineer and request a full gas safety check.
You can find a registered engineer in your area by visiting the Gas Safe Register website or contacting them on the below number:
- Gas Safe Register
- telephone: 0800 408 5500
Carbon monoxide poisoning
It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning as it can be fatal.
Carbon monoxide is difficult to detect because it is colourless, tasteless, odourless and non-irritating. It can come from any fuel burning appliance such as coal, oil, wood or gas.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can also cause long-term health problems if you’re exposed to low doses over a long period of time.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can affect anyone. However, children, students, the elderly, pregnant women and anyone with heart or breathing problems are more vulnerable to its effects.
The following guide has more information on carbon monoxide, the risks and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and advice on how to protect yourself against it.
Common sources of carbon monoxide
- blocked chimney or flue
- furnace / boiler
- exhaust fumes
- range / cooker
- portable heater / fireplace
- clothes dryer / water heater
- barbecues / grills
Away from home
Carbon monoxide (CO) is usually associated with domestic fossil-fuel burning appliances and most are aware of its dangers in the home.
However, incidents and fatalities because of CO can also occur in holiday homes, caravans and on board boats where faulty gas cookers, appliances or petrol-powered generators have led to carbon monoxide poisoning. So, make sure all appliances are properly installed and are serviced regularly.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can also occur when people bring gas and charcoal barbecues into tents and other small enclosed spaces to try to keep warm.
Reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning
You can take steps to help reduce the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide:
- install an audible carbon monoxide alarm (from as little as £20) that meets British or European standards (BS Kitemark or EN 50291)
- regularly get your appliances serviced
- sweep chimneys and flues every year if you use solid fuel
- if you are in rented accommodation, ask your landlord to provide you with an up-to-date gas safety record, which is a legal requirement and is particularly important for students renting houses and flats - your landlord is responsible for servicing boilers and appliances annually
- keep flues, air vents and grilles clear and make sure rooms are well ventilated
What to do if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off
- turn appliances off, open windows and get out of the house to breathe in fresh air
- you can ring your heating engineer or the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS)
- you can have a blood test taken from doctor to test levels in blood stream if feeling unwell
Information in Bulgarian
Information on the dangers of carbon monoxide is also available in Bulgarian at the link below: