Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the silent killer. The highly poisonous gas can kill quickly and without warning, as you cannot see it, taste it, or smell it.
Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of CO and may experience symptoms sooner than a healthy adult.
Carbon monoxide can be made by fires and appliances that burn gas, wood, oil or coal. It can leak into our homes when an appliance such as a boiler, gas hob, or wood burning stove has been incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your family safe.
Gas safety tips to keep your family safe
Badly fitted and poorly serviced appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Fit a carbon monoxide alarm which will sound a warning if there is carbon monoxide in the air. Or ask your landlord to fit one. Remember to test it regularly.
Get your gas appliances checked by a registered gas engineer. You can find one at GasSafeRegister.co.uk or by calling 0800 408 5500.
Look for warning signs including lazy yellow /orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance, a pilot light that keeps going out or too much condensation in the room
Don’t block vents. These are there to ensure your gas appliances work safely. Blocking them could prevent this.
Keep chimneys and flues clean and well-maintained
If you think there is a gas leak or suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, get everyone out of the house straight away.
Away from home
It might sound obvious, but it’s important to remember to use the same caution in your holiday accommodation that you do at home.
On arrival, it’s always worth checking the carbon monoxide alarms are working. Better still, add an audible CO alarm as an essential item on your packing list.
In confined spaces such as tents, caravans or campervans, the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning is greater.
So, never take a lit barbecue into a caravan, boat, motorhome or any enclosed space – not even a tent. Tents might seem well-ventilated, but they’re not. And remember, even if a BBQ is cooling down, the risk of CO poisoning persists.
What does carbon monoxide poisoning look like?
Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of CO and may experience symptoms sooner than a healthy adult.
Breathing in very small amounts of it can make children feel like they’ve got flu or food poisoning. So you might not know it’s carbon monoxide poisoning. They might:
- Feel dizzy, feel sick or be sick.
- Have a headache or sore throat.
- Be tired and forget things easily.
- Have tummy ache.
- Not be able to breathe properly.
What should you do if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning?
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, immediately go outside into the fresh air and seek medical attention.
If you think a gas appliance is leaking carbon monoxide, call the free National Gas Helpline on 0800 111 999.
Don’t go back into the affected building until you’ve got advice.
