Cookstown District Council

Business

Environmental Health

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide - The Hidden Killer

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Every year 30 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained. When gas does not burn properly, excess carbon monoxide is produced, which is poisonous.

You can't see it. You can't taste it. You can't even smell it. But carbon monoxide can kill without warning in just a matter of hours. You are particularly vulnerable when you are asleep.

The early symptons of poisoning include tiredness, drowsiness, headache, pains in the chest and stomach pains.

You are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if:

  • Your appliance was poorly installed;
  • Your appliance is not working properly;
  • Your appliance has not been checked for safety or maintained regularly;
  • There is not enough fresh air in the room;
  • Your chimney or flue gets blocked up;
  • You allow unqualified people to install or maintain your appliance.
  • There is a particular risk if you sleep in a room where an appliance, which is not of the room-sealed type, is left burning at night.

NEVER

  • Use a gas appliance if you think it's not working properly. Signs to look out for include yellow or orange flames, soot or stains around the appliance and pilot lights which frequently blow out.
  • Cover an appliance or block the convection air vents.
  • Block or obstruct any fixed ventilation grilles or air bricks.

CAUTION

Whenever draught exclusion, double glazing or a conservatory extension is fitted to a room containing a gas appliance, the appliance should subsequently be checked for safety.

All gas consumers are advised to have appliances checked for safety at least every 12 months by a CORGI-registered installer.

Should you have any concerns, you can contact the Environmental Health Department who can carry out carbon monoxide monitoring on your premises.