Safety
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless, poisonous gas. It occurs when equipment that burns fuels, like gas, coal or wood, are not working properly or if the flue is blocked or if there is poor ventilation.
To help prevent CO poisoning in your home:
- make sure chimneys and flues are swept regularly and kept clear
- make sure there is good ventilation
- have appliances checked by a Gas Safe Registered contractor once a year
- make sure that the flame on gas appliances is burning blue not yellow/orange
- never cook on a barbecue indoors
- install carbon monoxide detectors in the home.
Householders are urged to check their homes for the potential risks of CO.
In gas appliances look out for:
- stains or deposits of soot
- yellow/orange flames.
In solid fuel appliances look out for:
- the smell of fumes
- a fire that is slow to burn and goes out easily
- a fire that is difficult to light
- a blocked chimney flue.
Symptoms of CO poisoning may include drowsiness, dizziness, chest pains, nausea, stomach pains, tiredness and diarrhoea. Pets may show symptoms earlier than people.
If you think you are suffering from CO poisoning, open the windows and then get out into the fresh air immediately. If the symptoms are serious, you should go straight to your doctor or to a hospital. In an emergency, call the Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999. It is also important to get a Gas Safe registered engineer to check your gas appliances and flues for any faults.
For more information about CO poisoning, check the Gas Safe Register website.
Gas safety
Gas appliances should be checked every year for their safety by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you rent your property your landlord should do this and give you a copy of the test reports, known as a Landlord Gas Safety Record, before you move in or within 28 days of the inspection. Read the full details of landlords' responsibilities on the Health and Safety Executive's website.
Bottled gas
All permanent and portable gas appliances and flues in the property need an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer as unsafe bottled gas heaters and cookers can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. For this reason, and the fact that they produce large amounts of water vapour, which can cause damp, ensure there is plenty of air circulation.
Cold calling
Utility companies may visit your home unannounced, to read your meter. Most of these companies operate a password scheme, which once registered, the caller from the company should be asked for the password before being allowed in. Call your energy supplier directly to ask if they provide this service.
If you have any concerns whatsoever about someone who calls at your home, please follow these steps:
- Ask for identification and write down their name and the phone number of their organisation
- Don't allow them into your home
- Do not give them any personal details
- Don't commit to anything and ask them to come back to give you time to check on them
