Staying active

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can happen within a matter of minutes and is responsible for more deaths than any other single poison.

Over 100 peple died in the last two years due to fumes from appliances which had not been properly maintained.

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas‚ oil‚ wood or coal is burned.

The amount of CO produced while using fuel-burning appliances is usually not harmful. It becomes hazardous when appliances are used improperly or are not functioning adequately.

Safety checklist

• DO have your gas appliances checked annually by a CORGI registered engineer. Make sure the engineer is qualified to work on your particular appliance‚ this information can be found on the back of the ID card.
• DO fit a CO Detector with an audible alarm‚ as a back up to your annual service.
• DO have your chimney checked and swept annually.
• DO read and follow instructions that accompany any fuel-burning appliance.
• DON'T run the car in a garage even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home.
• DON'T use a gas oven to heat your home‚ even for a short time.
• DON'T use a charcoal grill indoors.
• DON'T cover airbricks‚ these are there for ventilation. If the appliances in your home don't have enough air they will produce Carbon Monoxide.
• DON'T use any petrol powered engines in enclosed spaces.
• DON'T ignore symptoms such as nausea‚ head/muscle aches and light-headedness - particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing.

Freephone
Information Line
0800 00 99 66