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If you use gas, wood, oil, or coal as fuel for your home, you and your family may be at risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Carbon monoxide is extremely difficult to detect because it is colourless and has no smell or taste. Although carbon-based fuels are safe to use under proper conditions, these fuels become quite dangerous when they do not burn completely and emit CO into the air.
When carbon monoxide is breathed into the body, it combines with the haemoglobin in the blood. Haemoglobin is the part of the red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. When carbon monoxide is mixed with haemoglobin, the bodys cells, tissues, and organs cannot receive oxygen, and they begin to die. Over time, even small amounts of carbon monoxide in the blood over time can be fatal or cause paralysis and brain damage.
Someone with carbon monoxide poisoning may incorrectly diagnose the symptoms as being caused by another ailment. The symptoms of CO poisoning are very similar to common illnesses, such as viral infections, the flu, food poisoning, and fatigue: nausea, vomiting, headaches, tiredness, and stomach pains. Other symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include problems with vision, trouble breathing, erratic behaviour, and chest pains.
Many homes contain gas appliances and flues, and these can both cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Sadly, an average of twenty UK residents die from CO poisoning each year, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Inadequte ventilation and/or improper installation of gas appliances and flues along with the lack of recommended maintenance cause the majority of residential carbon monoxide incidents. A constant supply of fresh air is essential for a home that operates carbon-based fuel appliances.
Educating yourself about carbon monoxide poisoning is the first step in protecting your family. Even if you take all the necessary precautions, you are at risk for CO poisoning if there is a carbon-based fuel appliance in your home. Share the information about carbon monoxide poisoning with family members so that everyone is aware of the dangers and symptoms. One good preventive measure is to install a carbon monoxide alarm. Compliance with British Standard EN 50291 and a British or European approval mark are two criteria to look for when you purchase a CO alarm. Choose an audible carbon monoxide alarm so that your family can be alerted to the presence CO even during their sleeping hours.
Insist on a Gas-Safe registered technician when you install a flue or gas appliance in your home. Gas-Safe registered installers are trained to set up your appliance or flue accordingly to safe procedures. Once your appliance or flue is installed, have it inspected once a year by a Gas-Safe registered professional to make sure everything is operating properly and there are no safety risks to your family from carbon monoxide. (The Gas-Safe Register replaced CORGI on 1st April 2009.) To prevent CO problems from your flue, hire a professional chimney sweep to thoroughly clean it every year. Advice on solid fuel safety can be found at the Solid Fuel Advisory Service