Carbon Monoxide

The Silent Killer

Every year about 30 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained. Many others also suffer ill health. When gas does not burn properly, as with other fuels such as coal, wood or oil, excess carbon monoxide is produced, which is poisonous.

The Health & Safety Executive has compiled a leaflet on the subject of Carbon Dioxide.

The Problem

You can’t see it. You can’t taste it. You can’t even smell it. But carbon monoxide can kill without warning in just a matter of hours

You are particularly at risk when you are asleep because you cannot recognise the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. These include tiredness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, pains in the chest and stomach pains. These symptoms can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused with flu or simple tiredness.

If you or your family experience the above symptoms, and you believe carbon monoxide may be involved, you must seek urgent medical advice. Your doctor will need to test a blood or breath sample. Carbon monoxide quickly leaves the blood and tests may be inaccurate if taken more than four hours after exposure has ended.

You are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if:

• your appliance was poorly installed

• your appliance is not working properly

• your appliance has not been checked for safety or maintained regularly

• there is not enough fresh air in the room

• your chimney or flue gets blocked up

• you allow non - Gas Safety Registered engineers to install or maintain your appliance's

There is a particular risk if you sleep in a room where an appliance, which is not of the room-sealed type (eg a conventional gas fire) is left burning at night. (Flue outlets for room-sealed appliances are commonly located on an external wall at a low level protected by a cage rather than at or above roof level.)

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© Crown copyright This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising, endorsement or commercial purposes. First published 10/02. Please acknowledge the source as HSE.

HSE Gas Safety Advice Line:
0800 300 363
Website: www.hse.gov.uk

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