Reduce the Risk of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide kills around 60 people in the UK every year and over 4000 more visit an A&E department with suspected symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Each year you should have your chimney and flues swept to ensure that they are not blocked with bird nests, climbing plants or a build-up of soot. You should also have all your appliances checked and serviced annually by an approved engineer.
A list of approved engineers can be found on the relevant bodies website:
- Gas Engineers - Gas Safe Register
- Oil & Biofuel Engineers - Oftec Competent Person
- Solid Fuel Engineers - HETAS Registered Installer
Pro-Active Steps to Stay Safe
The best way to keep yourself and your family safe from the devastating effects of carbon monoxide posioning is to reduce the risk of CO being produced. These simple steps can help to reduce the chances of carbon monoxide build-up and make sure that you are alerted to the pressence of this deadly gas.
Service Your Appliances
Make sure that your appliances are well maintained and serviced regularly by an approved engineer.
Sweep Chimneys
A build up of soot and debris in your chimney can produce dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide.
Have a Gas Safety Check
A gas safety check will help to ensure that your appliances are installed correctly and are safe for use and working correctly.
Inform Your Neighbours
Making your neighbours aware about the dangers of carbon monoxide will help to keep your community safe.
Install a CO Detector
An audible CO detector is the only certified way to detect carbon monoxide and keep yourself and your familly safe.
Test Your CO Detector
You should test your CO detector regularly to make sure it is working properly. Sign-up for our FREE reminder service.
Change Your Batteries
The batteries in your CO detector should be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Spread the Word
Help us spread the word about the dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning and help protect those closest to you.
Safety While Camping
When camping be aware that carbon monoxide can be produced from protable stoves, camp fires, barbeques and nearby vehicles. Always make sure you follow these simple rules when camping.
- Never take a BBQ or gas cylinder cooker into your tent to cook food
- Never use a BBQ (even when it has gone out, coal produces high levels of CO when smouldering) or gas cylinder cooker to warm up your tent
- Always make sure you cook a safe distance away from your tent (wind can blow carbon monoxide into your tent)
- Always take a portable and audible CO detector with you
Safety for Boats and Caravans
Boats and caravans are often exposed to external sources of carbon monoxide such as other nearby vehicles and boats, portable generators, protable stoves and barbeques. It is important to make sure that boats and caravans are well ventilated and that you follow these simple rules.
- Have your own appliances maintained and serviced regularly by an approved engineer
- Be aware of your surroundings and neighbouring boats and caravans – Poorly maintained vehicles could produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide
- Install an audible CO detector that is approved for use in boats and caravans
Safety on Holiday
Make sure that you don't let your guard down when you are staying away from home or on holiday. It is important to remember that carbon monoxide can be anywhere at anytime and that additional and unexpected risks may be around you while you are away from home.
Hotels and B&B's often use fossil fuel burning appliances such as boilers and fires for heating and hot water. Although these appliances are not usually located in the actual hotel rooms it is important to remember that carbon monoxide can seep through walls. Always be aware of your surroundings and take a portable and audible CO detector on holiday with you.
Safety at Work
Many people work in environments where they are exposed to potential sources of carbon monoxide daily. While these are usually all extremely low risk areas be aware that carbon monoxide could be produced from:
- Plant machinery such as diggers, dumper trucks, cement mixers
- Gas powered forklift trucks
- Portable generators
- Petrol and Diesel engines
(doc:543 V1.0). Our articles are reviewed regularly. However, any changes made to standards or legislation following the review date will not have been considered. Please note that we provide abridged, easy-to-understand guidance. To make detailed decisions about your fire safety provisions, you might require further advice or need to consult the full standards and legislation.