Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic gas. It can be fatal to humans, even in small amounts. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘silent killer’ because it is invisible, and has no recognised taste or smell. When humans breathe carbon monoxide in, the individual molecules attach themselves to our red blood cells. This stops the red blood cells from being able to carry the oxygen that we need to survive. Exposure to the gas effectively cuts off the supply of oxygen to the brain, which can cause serious health impacts, including brain damage and death.

Although thankfully a rare occurrence, the most common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is the gas being funnelled into the home from a faulty appliance. Any appliance that burns gas, oil, coal or wood can produce carbon monoxide if it has been incorrectly installed, or develops a fault.

There are several ways that you can protect your home, and your family, from the dangers of carbon monoxide. Here we’ve outlined some of the best ways that you can minimise the risks, and keep your family safe.

 

The 7 Things To Consider

1. Make sure all new appliances are fitted by qualified engineers

All new gas appliances such as radiators should be fitted by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. These professionals are trained in how to correctly fit gas appliances to ensure that they vent correctly, without the risk of harmful carbon monoxide building up anywhere in the system. The same applies to wood burning stoves, which should be fitted by a HETAS or equivalently qualified professional.

If you buy or rent a home, the owner should be able to provide copies of installation certificates.

2. Ensure all of your fuel-burning appliances are properly maintained

Even if you are quite sure that they have been correctly fitted by an approved engineer It is critical that you maintain the safety standards of all of your appliances. Follow recommendations, such as servicing wood burning stoves at least once a year. This minimises the risk that they have developed any faults.

If you live in rented accommodation, there is a legal duty for your landlord to carry out a gas safety check every year. You are within your rights to see a copy of this certificate, so don’t be afraid to ask your landlord or letting agency to supply you with a copy of this.

Electrical appliances do not pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, as they are not directly burning fuel in your home.

3. Get a carbon monoxide detector

Carbon monoxide alarms are a simple and highly effective way to detect a carbon monoxide leak in your home. They are available very cheaply from a wide variety of suppliers, and you may even find that some local councils or fire services will give away these alarms for free during home/fire safety promotions.

How to protect your home from carbon monoxide

If you live in rented accommodation, your landlord is obliged to install a CO monitor as standard. If they do not have one installed, you are well within your rights to insist that one is installed. The same applies to council accommodation.

Once you have an alarm installed, you should also make sure that you test it regularly. Most alarms will be battery operated, and usually have a backup safety setting that should alert you if the batteries are running low. Nevertheless, it is important that you test it routinely, monthly or even weekly testing is recommended.

CO alarms are particularly valuable to protect you and your family whilst you are asleep. As already mentioned, carbon monoxide is invisible and has no smell. If your home suffers a carbon monoxide leak at night, you may not be aware until it is too late. It’s therefore not an exaggeration to say that these alarms can, therefore, be the difference between life and death.

4. Know the symptoms

The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to many common illnesses, which means they are often overlooked or confused with flu or food poisoning. The most common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and tiredness.

If you believe that any member of your family is experiencing these symptoms, and may have been exposed to carbon monoxide, seek medical attention immediately.

5. Make sure your rooms are effectively ventilated

Proper air circulation is vital to preventing carbon monoxide build-up. If you have air vents, make sure they are not blocked or covered by any furniture. This is particularly important for extractor fans in kitchens where gas appliances are fitted.

6. Get chimneys and flues regularly cleaned

Clean and open chimneys and flues allow a path for carbon monoxide to leave your home. If they are blocked, the gas can build up – and may reach dangerous levels. Chimneys that are attached to fuel burning appliances should be inspected annually, by a qualified professional to ensure that they are in full working order. Chimneys should be serviced by a professional chimney sweep.

7. Avoid using outdoor fuel-burning appliances inside

Several appliances like camping stoves, paraffin heaters and barbeques will come with warnings to only use them in well-ventilated areas. This is with good reason. These appliances are designed to be used outdoors, where the free circulation of fresh air removes any traces of carbon monoxide quickly and easily. Because they do not burn fuel as completely or effectively as conventional gas appliances, they pose a higher risk of producing harmful levels of carbon monoxide. For that reason, you should heed the warnings that come with these types of appliances, and never use them indoors.

 

Conclusion

Ultimately, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in your home is low, but by following these simple steps, you can help reduce this risk to almost minimal levels. Just Radiators also offer a great range of electric radiators, which can prove to be a very efficient alternative to traditional gas central heating, and are another way to protect your home from the risk of carbon monoxide.

If you have any questions at all please don't hesitate to contact us. We have an award-winning customer service team who are waiting to assist you in any way they can.