How to Avoid the Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Carbon Monoxide is a highly dangerous gas which can cause serious illness or even kill. It is difficult to detect as you can't see it, smell it or taste it. Carbon Monoxide is produced as a result of the incomplete burning of carbon fuels, any fuel burning appliance, Gas or Solid Fuel which include boilers, fires, cookers and water heaters, not properly maintained or which have inadequate permanent ventilation, can be a source of Carbon Monoxide.

According to the HSE around 20 people die every year from Carbon Monoxide poisoning caused by gas or solid fuel appliances and flues that have not been properly installed, maintained or that are poorly ventilated. Levels that do not kill can cause serious harm if breathed in over a long period. In extreme cases paralysis and brain damage can be caused as a result of prolonged exposure to CO. Taking sensible precautions could dramatically reduce this risk.

How to identify the risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, the warning signs are;

• Check the flame colour of your Gas appliances, if it is orange or yellow, instead of blue, there may be a problem.
• Coal or wood fires that burn slowly or go out.
• Yellow or brown staining/soot deposits on or around appliances.
• Increased condensation inside windows.
• Pilot lights that frequently blow out.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is difficult to detect, because its symptoms are the same as those of many other common ailments Carbon Monoxide. For example, you may experience headaches, tiredness, difficulty thinking clearly and feeling sick. Sometimes it may feel as though you have food poisoning or that you are coming down with flu. You may also notice that others in your property have similar symptoms, and that the symptoms are less severe if you are away from your property - for example at work or on holiday.

From the information above, if you think that you or any of your family are at risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning;

• You should turn off ALL your Gas or Solid Fuel appliances immediately and report the fault to your OneCALL Service on 0845 8 507 507.
• Open the windows in the room and in other parts of your home to let fresh air in, ensure that all in the house vacate your property. Do not return to your property until the necessary checks and tests have been carried out by WDH in response to your reported fault to OneCALL and you have been given permission to return to your property by a qualified WDH Engineer.
• Seek medical advice at once.

How to avoid the risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning;

• Make sure that all permanent ventilation, air bricks in the wall to outside, grilles in the floor, etc. remain unobstructed and permanently open. Do not block to avoid draughts.
• Ensure you allow a WDH Gas or Solid Fuel Engineer into your property to undertake the annual Gas or Solid Fuel Safety Checks on your installed appliances.

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself and your family is get a reputable Carbon Monoxide detector which has an alarm which will warn you of any potential danger or risk, always fit the alarm in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.