Silent Killer: Be CO savvy this winter

In the winter, we tend to close windows and doors and turn up the central heating to keep warm. But if you have a carbon monoxide (CO) leak, this can be extremely dangerous.

CO is a colourless, odourless, tasteless poisonous gas that can be produced by anything that burns carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal. For example your gas cooker, boiler, woodburner and gas or open fire.

Be CO aware this winter. Know the signs and symptoms to look out for and the steps you can take to protect your home.

If you suspect CO, you should call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999* immediately. This is a FREE service, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Advisors will be on hand to instruct you on what steps to take next. They’ll send out an emergency gas engineer from your local gas distribution network who'll ensure steps are taken to make the situation safe.

Please note: All calls are recorded and may be monitored.

How to stay safe from CO.

To reduce the risks of CO poisoning, you need to:

Purchase

A CO alarm that will alert you to a potential leak. Make sure it's correctly positioned in your home and tested regularly.

Book

An annual service for your gas appliances and make sure they're properly installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer*.

*The Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas engineers who are qualified to work legally on gas appliances. Visit gassaferegister.co.uk to find an engineer near you.

Check

Get your flues checked and chimneys swept annually by a registered professional.

Do not:

Use a gas appliance if you suspect it isn't working properly.

Block or obstruct any fixed ventilation, grilles or air bricks.

Block or cover outside flues and chimneys.

Check for signs of a CO leak.

You can’t see, taste or smell CO, but there are some physical signs you can look out for around your home. The earlier you spot them, the more you can do to minimise the health risks posed by a leak.

Signs of CO

Lazy yellow flame

A gas hob's flame could appear lazy and burn orange or yellow rather than mostly blue.

Soot & yellow-brown staining

If there is soot or yellow-brown staining on or around an appliance.

Excessive condensation

In the room (on windows) where you have a gas appliance.

Pilot light

If it frequently blows out, this can be a sign of something wrong with the appliance.

A CO alarm could save your life this winter

A CO alarm that will alert you to a potential leak, is the best way of knowing if carbon monoxide is present in your home. Make sure it's correctly positioned in your home and tested regularly.

Purchasing your CO alarm

You should always buy your CO alarm from an approved retailer and ensure it complies with the British Standard BS EN50291-1. Always look out for the BSI kitemark.

Where to place your CO alarm

It’s important your CO alarm is in the right place in order for it to work correctly.

You should ideally have one on each level of your house and definitely in the same room as any fuel-burning appliance (like a boiler, stove or oven). Always check and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when placing and testing the alarm.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Place the alarm at head height (like on a shelf or bookcase) 100cm-300cm from the potential source of CO.

Ceiling mounted alarm
At least 30 cm from any wall

Wall mounted
At least 15 cm from the ceiling

Don’t place the alarm near a fireplace or any appliance that produces a flame (like your gas hob).
Don’t put your alarm in cupboards, behind furniture, or near outside doors or ventilation equipment (like an extractor fan), or it won’t work properly.

Testing your CO alarm

Remember to pay close attention to the alarm’s battery life and when it will need replacing. Most alarms will last between five and seven years, with some lasting for as long as 10 years. Many CO alarms have an expiry date marked on them. Make a note of this and replace your alarm before it reaches this date.

It is also important to regularly check the alarm, once a month if possible. You could set a reminder on your phone or add to your calendar as an easy prompt.

Stay safe. Know the symptoms of CO poisoning.

Breathing in CO can make you seriously ill and can even cause death, so it’s important to know the symptoms of CO poisoning. They’re very similar to food poisoning, flu and even a hangover.

Headache

Nausea

Dizziness

Breathlessness

Collapse

Loss of Consciousness

If your symptoms lessen or disappear when you’re outside the house, it might be CO poisoning, so seek urgent medical attention and call the National Gas Emergency Service free on 0800 111999.*

*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.

Learn how to spot the symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms don’t take the chance. Ask yourself these four questions. They can be remembered by using the acronym ‘COMA’:

C for Co-habitees and co-occupants. Is anyone else in the property affected (including pets)? If yes this could increase suspicion of CO poisoning.
O for Outdoors. Do your symptoms improve when out of the property? If yes this could increase suspicion of CO poisoning.
M for Maintenance. Are heating and cooking appliances/equipment properly maintained? If no, this could increase suspicion of CO poisoning.
A for Alarm. Do you have a CO alarm? If no, this could increase suspicion of CO poisoning.

Anyone who suspects they are suffering from CO poisoning should immediately go outside into the fresh air and seek urgent medical attention.

Did you know that many of our summer essentials can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if used incorrectly? Including Camping Stoves, Camping Heaters, Lanterns, Charcoal Grills and Barbecues.

If you're planning a BBQ this summer, or renting holiday accommodation with heating or gas facilities, including tents and caravans, you could be at risk from CO poisoning.

We recommend you always travel with an audible carbon monoxide detector. It could not only save your life, but the lives of the people you care about.

Holiday Essentials.

A portable CO detector could save your life this summer

Because you can’t see, smell, hear, or taste carbon monoxide, you won’t know it’s there. So whether you’re staying in a holiday home, resort, or camping – always pack an audible portable CO detector.

If you’re on holiday and your CO alarm sounds:

Open all doors and windows.
Go outside into the fresh air.
If you feel unwell or are experiencing symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
In the UK call the National Gas Emergency number FREE on 0800 111 999* (in Northern Ireland call 0800 002 001*) immediately. It’s available 24/7, all year round. Our experts will tell you what to do while you wait for an engineer to arrive.
Alert the landlord or holiday representative.

* All calls are recorded and may be monitored.

Great outdoors. Deadly indoors.

A quick BBQ safety checklist

A BBQ can give off CO even after it’s gone out, so always BBQ in a well ventilated area.

Here’s a quick BBQ checklist.

Never

Never bring a BBQ inside your home, tent, awning or any enclosed area.

Remember

Remember BBQs can give off CO even after they've gone out.

Always

Always use your BBQ in an open area with plenty of ventilation, away from tents or sleeping areas.

If you’re using an LPG BBQ*

REMEMBER to check your equipment is in a good working order and that hoses are securely attached and not damaged.
ALWAYS be sure to only use and change your canisters in a well ventilated, open space, following manufacturer’s guidelines carefully and turning off the supply properly before doing so.

* Bottled gas.

Hangover, headache, or CO poisoning?

Recognise the signs of CO poisoning

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for other illnesses, like food poisoning, flu, a cold, or even a hangover.

They can include:

Headache

Nausea

Dizziness

Breathlessness

Collapse

Loss of Consciousness

If you think you’re suffering from CO poisoning, immediately go outside into the fresh air and seek urgent medical attention.

Gas safety checks are important - all year round

Your heating may be off in the summer months, but your boiler will still come on to heat hot water. That means it can still release harmful CO. To keep you and your loved ones safe, it’s important to get your gas appliances checked once a year by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.

What to do if you suspect CO poisoning

In the UK you should call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999* (in Northern Ireland call 0800 002 001*) immediately.

This is a FREE service, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Advisors will be on hand to instruct you on what steps to take next. They’ll send out an emergency gas engineer from your local gas distribution network who'll ensure steps are taken to make the situation safe.