Carbon monoxide safety

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal. Carbon-based fuels are safe to use. It is only when the fuel does not burn properly that excess CO is produced, which is poisonous. When CO enters the body, it prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues, and organs.

You can't see it, taste it or smell it but CO can kill quickly without warning. According to the HSE statistics around 20 people die from CO poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed, maintained or that are poorly ventilated. Levels that do not kill can cause serious harm to health if breathed in over a long period. In extreme cases paralysis and brain damage can be caused as a result of prolonged exposure to CO. Increasing public understanding of the risks of CO poisoning and taking sensible precautions could dramatically reduce this risk. .

You can tell if a gas appliance is working correctly or not by looking at the flame. If it’s bright blue, it’s healthy. If it’s yellowy orange, then this is evidence of a possible carbon monoxide presence which could be dangerous.

Other signs to look for include:

• Brownish-yellow or sooty stains around the appliance
• Pilot lights that frequently blow out
• Heavy condensation in the room where the appliance is installed
• Fumes or smoke in the house
• Slower than usual burning of solid fuel fires

• Switch off the appliance and do not reuse until remedial action has been taken
• Shut off the gas supply at the meter control valve (if you know where it is). If gas continues to escape call National Grid on the Gas Emergency Freephone Number 0800 111 999
• Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room - do not sleep in it
• Visit your GP urgently and tell him/her that you believe your symptoms may be related to carbon monoxide poisoning and request either a blood and/or breath sample
• Contact our Home Services Team on 0800 980 2122 to arrange for one of our Gas Safe registered engineers to visit (service available in most areas of Great Britain).

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused with food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple tiredness. Symptoms to look out for include:

• headaches
• breathlessness
• nausea
• dizziness
• collapse
• loss of consciousness
• tiredness
• drowsiness
• vomiting
• pains in the chest
• stomach pains
• erratic behaviour
• visual problems

For more information visit the NHS or telephone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

If you or your family experience any of the above symptoms and you believe CO may be involved, you must seek urgent medical advice from either your GP or an accident and emergency department. You should ask for a blood or breath test to confirm the presence of CO. Be aware, CO quickly leaves the blood and tests may be inaccurate if taken more than four hours after exposure has ceased.

• Get your gas appliances serviced annually by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
• All appliances should be checked for safety at least every 12 months by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you are responsible for your gas appliances (this is likely to be the case if you own your home), npower can arrange for a gas safety check, which in some cases may be undertaken free of charge. See below if you qualify for a free gas safety check.
• Make sure rooms and heaters are well ventilated.
• Have your chimneys and flues checked regularly.

If you buy a carbon monoxide alarm, ensure it meets current safety standards (EN 50291) and carries the Kitemark. Always follow the manufacturer’s siting instructions carefully. They’re a useful back-up precaution but must NOT be seen as a substitute for proper installation and maintenance of gas equipment by a Gas Safe-registered installer.

You must have requested a safety check and shouldn’t have had one within the previous 12 months. The free gas safety check will be carried out by a Gas Safe Registered engineer; it will include checks on the safety of gas appliances and other gas fittings.

If you’re over 60, chronically sick, disabled, or have sight or hearing difficulties, you can join npower’s Warm Response Service. It’s free to join and once a member you can benefit from many useful services designed to help make your life easier, including a free annual gas safety check where eligible (unless you live in rented accommodation where it is your landlord’s duty to ensure the check is done).

If you're in receipt of a means-tested benefit, a homeowner and have a child under the age of 5, we can also offer a free annual gas safety check.

If our engineer finds that a gas appliance is unsafe, they will condemn it for your safety and recommend that you contact a Gas Safe-registered engineer to repair or replace it. We will also give you advice on the options available for repairing or replacing any appliances that are found to be unsafe

For more information call the npower Warm Response Team FREE on: 0808 172 6999

• Free Gas Safety Checks

The Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance (COCAA) was established in response to the All Party Parliamentary Gas Safety Group Report on an inquiry into carbon monoxide awareness published in September 2006.

Since then, the Alliance has undergone an intense period of recruitment and consolidation, enabling it to claim strong representation from all the major energy retailers, industries across different fuel types, victim support charities and carbon monoxide alarm manufacturers. With this support, COCAA can now more effectively pursue its objective of becoming the leading authority on carbon monoxide poisoning, awareness and campaigning.