If your house is heated by gas or is home to gas appliances, you’re at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas which is produced by faulty and unsafe gas appliances, and the effects of inhaling it can be fatal.
According to the Gas Safe Register website “it is produced by the incomplete burning of gas and liquid petroleum gas (LPG). This happens when a gas appliance has been incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained. It can also occur if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked.”
Unlike many other gases, which can be smelt in the air when they are released, carbon monoxide is odourless. You can’t see it or taste it either, which makes it a deadly and dangerous presence in the home.
While we may not be using the heating much at the moment, it’s always a good idea to become familiar with the symptoms of Co2 poisoning. Learning how to spot the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning now will mean you’re prepared for the winter months.
In today’s blog, we explain the main symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and tell you what you should do if you suspect carbon monoxide is leaking in your home.
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to other illnesses such as flu, viral infections and even just everyday tiredness, so it’s vital you investigate the cause of any such symptoms. There are six main symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. These are headaches, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, breathlessness and eventual collapse.
You should also take notice of where and when these symptoms occur. Do the symptoms occur when you are at home, improve when you leave and return when you come back? Do you only ever feel this way at home as opposed to when at work or in the car? Does anyone else in your household report feeling the same way? All of these questions can indicate that carbon monoxide is the cause of the symptoms, and you should seek help immediately.
Signs of carbon monoxide being present in the home include dark staining on or around appliances, frequently blowing pilot lights, condensation on the insides of the windows (more than is usual), and you may notice that the flame on the oven is yellow or orange, when it should be blue.
To ensure your home is as safe as possible from carbon monoxide poisoning, you should get a Gas Safe registered engineer to check your appliances are in good working order. You should also make sure that any gas work in your home is always undertaken by a gas safe registered person (see this earlier blog).
It is also a very wise idea to buy a carbon monoxide detector, which can alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide in the home, like a smoke alarm does with a fire. Co2 alarms are cheap and easily available in DIY stores, supermarkets or from your energy supplier. If the detector senses carbon monoxide in the air, it will sound an alarm to alert you. It is important that the alarm makes a noise, as this will protect you from being poisoned as you sleep, when you are particularly vulnerable.
If you do suspect there is carbon monoxide in your home, take the following action:
Open doors and windows throughout the house to let in plenty of fresh air. Turn off all gas appliances and leave immediately.
Seek medical advice immediately from either your GP or hospital. Tell them that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. They will be able to confirm this either way.
Have your gas appliances checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Do not be afraid of wasting the doctors time. If left to progress, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause brain damage and in the worst cases can prove fatal. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
For more information and advice, visit the Gas Safe Register website.
Author: Lucy Wright
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