Carbon Monoxide

Stay safe from carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide has no colour, smell or taste. Breathing it can cause illness, loss of consciousness, and even death. Protect your home and your health from this dangerous gas.

Install a carbon monoxide alarm

The most important step to protect your family from carbon monoxide in the home is to install one or more carbon monoxide alarms. A simple carbon monoxide alarm could save your life.

Your alarm should:

• Comply with European Standard EN 50291
• Carry the CE mark and a mark of independent certification
• Have an ‘end of life’ indicator
• Make a sound when it goes off

You can buy carbon monoxide alarms in most DIY and home stores. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when installing it.

Keep your fuel-burning appliances safe

• Make sure all your fuel-burning appliances are installed by a qualified/registered installer.
• Service your boiler and any other fuel-burning appliances yearly.
• Always use a qualified service agent for your fuel type.
• Sweep your chimney yearly.
• Keep your flues and chimneys clear.
• Never block room ventilators.
• Make sure any building work does not interfere with your existing ventilation or flue arrangements.
• Use appliances correctly and for their intended purpose.
• Don't use appliances you suspect may be faulty.
• If you store wood or biomass pellets, make sure your store is well ventilated.

Signs of carbon monoxide in your home

These are all signs of carbon monoxide.

• Staining, sooting or discolouring around a fuel-burning appliance.
• Condensation on your windows and/or walls when a fuel-burning appliance is on.
• A strange smell when a fuel-burning appliance is on. While carbon monoxide has no smell other burning fumes may smell and be a sign.
• A gas appliance having a yellow or orange flame instead of blue.