How to protect yourself and your family from Carbon Monoxide poisoning

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous gas with no colour, taste or smell. It is often called the silent killer.

It can be given off by faulty gas, faulty boiler, oil or solid fuel appliances.

Ensure your appliances are regularly checked and maintained by a certified engineer. Contact

About Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

Ensure you have CO monitors and alarms in place. Landlords have a duty of care to make sure CO alarms are installed in rental properties. Alarms should be certified to British Standards EN50291 and should be audible.

Take a note of your CO detectors expiry date, your alarm will need to be replaced after this time.

Test your alarm regularly.

Carbon Monoxide alarms should be placed in the same room as your appliance and in a permanent fixed position.

Ceiling mounted alarms should be placed at least 300mm away from any wall and between 1-3m away horizontally from the appliance.

Wall mounted alarms should be placed 1-3m horizontally from the appliance and 150mm away from the ceiling.

Never place your CO detector in an enclosed space or where it can be obstructed. Never above a sink or humid area. Never next to a door, window, extractor fan or air vent. Never near a cooking appliance and never in an area where the temperature falls below -10^oc or above 40^oc.

Signs and Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, collapse and unconsciousness.

Symptoms can often be confused with viral infections, flu and tiredness.

What to do if my alarm goes off?

Turn the appliance off if you can safely and ventilate the area thoroughly.

Leave the property immediately and call the National Gas Service on 0800 111 999 or you own energy provider’s emergency number.

Do not return until your appliance has been checked and you are told it is safe to do so.

You must not use the appliance again until the cause of the leak has been found and fixed by a certified engineer. Contact

If you feel unwell go to your doctor or call NHS Direct on 111. In an emergency call 999 for an ambulance.

Each year in the UK alone 200 people are hospitalised for CO poisoning, which leads to around 60 deaths. This is why Carbon Monoxide detectors and alarms or so important as well as having your appliances regularly checked and maintained.