Carbon monoxide poisoning is dangerous. Make sure you’re able to spot the signs of a carbon monoxide leak.
Signs to look out for include:
Yellow or brown staining around or on appliances
Pilot lights that frequently blow out
Increased condensation inside windows
Yellow rather than a blue flame (except for flueless fires).
Guard against carbon monoxide
You can’t see it, smell it or taste it, but carbon monoxide gas can kill or seriously injure in just a matter of hours. In the home environment, carbon monoxide gas can be produced by faulty gas appliances. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can often be mistaken for flu or food poisoning and may include all, or any, of the following:
recurring headaches
nausea, sickness or stomach pains
dizziness
tiredness or drowsiness
chest pains
visual problems.
If you think your appliance is spilling/leaking carbon monoxide:
Switch it off and don’t use it again until remedial action has been taken
Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room - do not sleep in it
Contact a Gas Safe Registered™ engineer to make repairs.
If you believe that you have a faulty appliance and anyone in the household has a headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain or confusion contact your GP or NHS 24 (Scotland) or NHS 111 (England /Wales) urgently, by calling 111. Tell them you think you may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning and ask for their advice.
More information on carbon monoxide awareness is available from: