Each winter in the UK between ten and fifteen people lose their lives by inhaling carbon monoxide fumes. These highly poisonous fumes leak into their homes through gas appliances and flues, and without exception, particularly those which have not been properly installed. The number of people, usually the elderly and infirm who become ill due to breathing these fumes, cannot be measured, but are estimated to run into the thousands. The symptoms of the poisoning are hard to trace and can often be confused with a dose of the flu or a virus that can occur in the winter months. Although it is difficult to believe, these people are actually lucky because they are more than likely being exposed to very low quantities of the gas. However someone who is exposed to the gas in its undiluted form can succumb to it within just a few hours. Sadly, most people who pass away from carbon monoxide poisoning do so in their sleep, and have no idea that they are at risk.

Everyone who has even one gas appliance in the home should take great care to protect themselves and their family from the risks that exposure to the gas can bring. It is not a difficult task to carry out and basically involves the following simple checks:

• Your gas appliance was poorly installed and not by a British Gas (Corgi) registered installer;
• Any gas appliances in your home which are not functioning properly and the matter haven’t been taken care of.
• Any gas appliances in your home have not been checked to meet recognized safety standards and are being used on a regular basis.
• Fresh air is not being allowed to circulate, even at the most minimum of levels, in a room of the house;
• If a chimney or flue in the house has been allowed to become blocked up, and is not cleared.
• Even if your gas appliance has been installed by a British Gas (Corgi) registered installer, if you later allow an engineer who is not on the Gas Safe Register to tamper with your appliance, they may cause damage that will allow the lethal gas to leak into your home.
• You continue to use a gas appliance, even if you fear that it is not functioning properly. A sure sign that the appliance may be faulty is that if the flame becomes orange or yellow. Another sign of a faulty appliance is soot beginning to appear around the appliance which shows that the outlet may be beginning to block.

In addition to these measures, it can be a worthwhile investment to fit a carbon monoxide alarm. The alarm, which must meet current safety standards (BS EN 50291) and carry a BSI Kitemark, will sound an alert if carbon monoxide levels

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For those who ask what is carbon monoxide poisoning, they should know that the effects of one of the deadliest gases around can be at worse fatal, and at best, lead to serious health problems.

Ideally, fuels such as gas, coal and wood burn cleanly and provide heat for the home and office without any problems.

But when an appliance is not serviced regularly, or indeed, not installed, or repaired properly, then you’ve got potential danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Known by the initials CO, carbon monoxide is so deadly because it’s a poisonous gas that cannot be smelt, seen, or tasted.

This is why the authorities come down hard on people who think that they can install, service and repair gas appliances without the necessary training and paperwork. It should be remembered that the law states that only those engineers on the Safe Gas Register can do such work on a gas appliance. Gas boilers and fires, and other such fuelled appliances, cannot be DIY tasks. And you do so at your peril.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur even if you breathe in small amounts of the gas. What’s more, exposure to the gas over a of period of time, can lead to serious health problems such as paralysis and brain damage.

So everyone should try and be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Simply put, the symptoms can be similar to those suffering from tiredness, food poisoning, flu and all number of viral infections. People with such symptoms, who live in homes with gas appliances, should always ask themselves whether their diagnosis is right. Of course, some common sense is required, but it is worth being aware that exposure to carbon monoxide can happen over a period of time from a faulty gas appliance. This is why appliances should be regularly serviced and regularly checked for faults.

Six of the main things that you may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning are: dizziness, headaches, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness.

Now there are some clues as to whether a home-based appliance might be the cause of such symptoms. It may be that you have similar symptoms to above, but only when at home. It may be that you feel better once you’ve left home, but the symptoms return when you go back home. Or that others around you in the house appear to have the same symptoms and this goes for pets as well.

If you suspect that you are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, to whatever degree, take immediate steps. Open all doors and windows immediately, turn off all appliances, and leave the house, and alert your energy company if you suspect a leak. Do not return until a qualified gas engineer has checked your appliances. And see a doctor to check you over for a signs of poisoning.

With CO, always err on the side of caution

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