Are you at risk?

A carbon monoxide alarm is NOT a substitute for regular maintenance of your gas appliances.

Alarms only last for as long as their batteries, whereas a qualified engineer will be able to pinpoint and solve problems at their early stages, potentially saving your life.

It is important to have your gas appliances serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Ensure that the engineer has the necessary qualifications to work on your specific type of appliance. Do ask for their ID card - we all carry them and won't be offended! On the back of the ID card there will be a list of categories that the card holder can work on.

So what is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, wood, oil and coal. When CO enters the body, it prevents the blood from transporting oxygen to cells, tissues and organs. So you can't see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill quickly without warning.
According to the HSE statistics , every year around 15 people die from CO poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed or maintained, or ones  that are poorly ventilated. Levels that do not kill can cause serious harm to health 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. Increasing public understanding of the risks of CO poisoning and taking sensible precautions could dramatically reduce this risk.

There are signs that you can look out for which indicate incomplete combustion is occurring and may result in the production of CO:

  • Yellow or orange rather than blue flames (except fuel effect fires or flueless appliances which display this colour flame)
  • Soot or yellow / brown staining around or on appliances
  • Pilot lights that frequently go out
  • Increased condensation inside windows

    There are a number of simple steps that gas consumers can take to keep themselves safe. To find out more please click here.

    Keep your home Carbon monoxide free

    • Do not block any purpose made ventilation grills, no matter how much draft they appear to let in.They are there to help ensure the safe operation of your gas appliances and should be unobstructed at all times.
    • Do have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in the rooms which contain gas appliances,particularly open flued and flueless appliances.
      Carbon monoxide detector - Sawston, Cambridgeshire - M Merry Quality Gas Services

      For advice on reducing the risk of CO emission in your home or rented property, call Mick on 01223 658550