Carbon Monoxide

Heating appliances - the dangers

  • Keeping warm is vital, unfortunately, heating appliances are one of the most common causes of injury and death in the home. 
  • If users don’t follow simple safety rules, heating appliances can kill. More than 50 home deaths result every year from Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is deadly

  • What is it?
    Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas. It can be given off by any appliance that burns fossil fuels such as gas, coal, wood or oil, if they’re not working properly, if the flue is blocked, or if the room is not properly ventilated.
  • Why is it so dangerous?
    Carbon monoxide is odourless, colourless and tasteless, which makes it difficult to detect. However its effects are deadly.
  • What are the main causes of carbon monoxide poisoning?
    Most cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are due to inadequate ventilation, or poor maintenance of appliances, blocked chimneys or leaky flues.
    Chimneys can become blocked for various reasons. It could be as a result of birds nesting on the chimney, or possible degradation of the flue.
    A blocked flue can lead to carbon monoxide leaking into your home, the occupants becoming drowsy, falling asleep, and not waking up again.
  • Who is most at risk?
    Some people mistakenly think that it is only gas heating systems which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. However, it can happen with any fossil fuel, if the system, which includes both the appliance and the flue, is faulty or the room is not properly ventilated. Some people only associate carbon monoxide poisoning with rented accommodation, in fact more people are killed in owner-occupied rather than rented properties.

Carbon monoxide may be present if there are any of the following danger signs:

  1. The windows and doors have been draught-proofed and the permanent ventilation has been blocked up to prevent draughts so that the room is not properly ventilated.
  2. There has been no regular maintenance of the appliance, like cleaning the throat plate monthly, or having the appliance serviced professionally.
  3. The chimney and flue have not been swept for years.
  4. Bits of the flue lining have broken away and tumbled down to the appliance outlet.
  5. The chimney or flue is blocked – watch out for smoke in the room. 
  6. There are soot deposits at the appliance outlet, or sooty stains appear on or just above appliances, regardless of the fuel being burnt
  7. The fire is difficult to light
  8. Gas flames that normally burn blue, burn orange or yellow instead.
  9. Coal or wood fires burn slowly or go out.
  10. If the weather is cold and the fire is not drawing well, opening the fire door to get more heat compounds the problem.
  11. You develop the following unexplained symptoms: Tiredness; Drowsiness; Headaches; Dizziness; Chest pains; Nausea

Key Safety Messages & Facts

  • Carbon monoxide can result from burning all fossil fuels – not just gas fires and boilers.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors should comply with British Standard BS 7860, but remember they are only warning devices. Never rely on them entirely and do not use them as a substitute for regular servicing.
  • Boilers, heating systems and appliances should be installed, maintained and regularly serviced by a competent engineer (make sure they are 'Gas Safe' registered for gas appliances).
  • The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 place a duty on landlords to make sure that appliances and flues are kept in good order and checked for safety at least once every 12 months. Landlords must also keep a record of previous safety checks and issue the current record to the tenant.
  • Make sure that all chimneys and flues are regularly swept by a competent sweep and kept clear, even if burning smokeless fuel. This includes chimneys being used as flues for gas fires, but is particularly important for solid fuel appliances.
  • Ensure that fire ash is emptied regularly, if it is allowed to build up, the fire may not burn properly and this may also damage the appliance.
  • It is important to ensure rooms are properly ventilated. Check that air vents are present, open and not blocked to prevent a build-up of carbon monoxide,. If double-glazing or draught-proofing is fitted, make sure there is still enough air circulating for any heaters in the room.
  • Portable heaters do not need a flue, but they still need good ventilation.
  • Never cook on a barbecue indoors as the charcoal gives off carbon monoxide.
  • Do not use any gas appliances which you think may be unsafe.
  • Do not attempt do-it-yourself work on gas appliances.
  • If you have recently moved, check when your boiler or heating appliances were last serviced.
  • If you develop any of the following unexplained symptoms:drowsiness; headaches; chest pains; giddiness; sickness; diarrhoea; stomach pains
    You could be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Switch off your appliances and see your doctor at once.