The Importance of Having a Carbon Monoxide Alarm

Carbon Monoxide is an invisible and very dangerous gas that can cause serious illness and death.  You cannot see it and you cannot smell it.  In the UK, there are 40 deaths and 200 hospitalisations from carbon monoxide poisoning every year . Symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, nausea, vomiting and in more serious cases, blackouts and convulsions.  As some of these symptoms can so often associated with other minor illness, it’s so important to have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in your home.

Possible sources of carbon monoxide fumes can include gas boilers, gas fires, open fires, log burners and even barbeques (BBQ’s will give off fumes for hours after you’ve finished cooking). We also know of one instance where a vehicle was being run in a garage and the exhaust fumes were filtering into the house, activating the carbon monoxide alarm.

What should you do if you have a carbon monoxide alarm and it activates?  Get out the property. If possible, ventilate and turn off any suspected sources of the leak on your way out. Call the gas emergency helpline 0800 111 999.  If you are unsure on the source,  you can also call the fire service on 999.  If you think you’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide and are showing symptoms, call 999 immediately.

We sell battery operated carbon monoxide alarms.  Alarms should be placed in any room with a fuel burning appliance.