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Carbon Monoxide (CO) fumes are silent, highly poisonous fumes, that can impact your health or cause a fire.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a silent killer. CO fumes are silent, highly poisonous fumes that can be impossible to detect because you cannot taste, see or smell it.
This can happen when appliances such as boilers, cookers, heaters, gas fires and solid fuel burners are faulty, have been incorrectly fitted, or not regularly serviced. It can also occur if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked or poorly maintained.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) can be produced by:
Blocked or poorly maintained chimneys or flues
Portable heaters using liquid petroleum gas
Gas boilers and appliances including fires
Gas cookers or clay overs
Wood and coal burners
Car engines
If you suspect a CO leak, leave the property immediately and contact the 24-hour Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999
Do not re-enter your home until the source of the CO has been addressed or fixed by a qualified professional
We advise you to fit CO alarms in all rooms containing fuel burning appliances. We encourage you to:
Purchase CO alarms from reputable manufacturers that have a British Standard certification
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how and where to fit the alarms
Alarms should be in all rooms that have a fuel burning appliance
Test your alarms regularly, we recommend once a week
Leave the property immediately
If you suspect CO poisoning, always seek immediate medical advice. If someone is showing signs of poisoning or has collapsed, call 999 immediately and ask for medical help
Do not re-enter your home until the source of the CO has been addressed by a qualified professional
Have your boiler and other fuel burning appliances serviced by a qualified individual at least one a year
Have your chimney swept and flue inspected by a qualified professional at least once a year
