Signpost Housing Association

Carbon Monoxide Safety

In an emergency leave the area immediately and call the National Grid call centre on 0800 111 999

Do you know the facts?

Every year around fifty people die from Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning due to the build up of dangerous levels of the gas from faulty heating appliances, and many more suffer from long term illnesses such as breathing problems and even mental illness. You have probably heard or read of cases where students have been killed by CO. Make sure you don't become a statistic by reading the following information.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide is a natural by product of burning fossil fuels such as gas, coal, wood or oil. However, when fuels do not burn properly toxic carbon monoxide fumes can be produced. The fumes are odourless, colourless and tasteless, so you won't know they are present and we are all most vulnerable when we are asleep. Not surprisingly, cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are highest in the winter months when heating systems are more in use. Most cases of CO poisoning are due to inadequate ventilation or a lack of correct maintenance of appliances, flues and chimneys.

Carbon Monoxide may be present if:

• Gas fuelled appliances have flames which burn orange or yellow when they should be blue
• The room is not properly ventilated
• Your chimney or flue is blocked - watch out for; smoke in the room, slower than usual burning, sooty marks around fireplaces and difficulty in lighting.

Symptoms

Carbon monoxide makes people feel ill. Symptoms include tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, chest pains and nausea.

What to do to protect yourself?

Proper ventilation is vital - NEVER block vents. If your accommodation has double glazing or draught proofing make sure there is still enough air circulating for the heaters in the room.

The Law

All Landlords are required by law to make sure that all gas installations such as fires, boilers and flues are professionally installed, well maintained, safe and serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Landlords are required to keep records of service inspections for two years.

Gas Safe 08004085500

If you believe that any heating appliance is unsafe:

Stop using it at once

Ventilate the room

In the case of gas appliances call 0800 111 999 for 24 hour advice. 

 

 

The above information is the copyright of Crown 2001 and has been produced from The Department of Trade and Industry