Carbon Monoxide

Published 18th Sep 2007

Key Facts
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, highly poisonous gas that is found in carbon-based fuel appliances

Over the last five years, there has been a significant reduction in the number of carbon monoxide-related incidents


ERA’s Position
Our ambition is for zero carbon monoxide-related fatalities on a sustainable basis.

The energy retail sector has already achieved the Government's target to reduce avoidable gas related carbon monoxide fatalities by a minimum of 20% by 2010. We are now looking to maintain and improve this downward trend in tackling this serious issue.

Background Information
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, highly poisonous gas that is found in carbon-based fuel appliances. It can kill without warning in just a matter of hours. Carbon monoxide (CO) can result from all fossil fuels - not just gas fires and boilers. If you use natural gas, heating oil, petrol, or wood to heat your home or work area you should be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, giddiness, nausea, vomiting, pains in the chest, breathlessness, stomach pains, erratic behaviour and visual problems. These symptoms can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused as flu, or simple tiredness.

Energy suppliers run campaigns and webpages, distribute leaflets, provide detectors and can advise on appliance safety to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide to their customers.

Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance (COCAA)
The ERA and its members are part of a cross-industry alliance established in response to a report from the All Party Gas Safety Group. The aim of COCAA is to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide through a high profile campaign involving all stakeholders, including the Government.

You are at risk from CO Poisoning if...
Your appliance was poorly installed
Your appliance is not working properly
Your appliance has not been checked for safety or maintained regularly
There is not enough fresh air in the room
Your chimney or flue gets blocked up
You allow non-CORGI registered engineers to install or maintain your appliance(s)

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 blue flame (apart from flueless fires)

If you think your appliance is spilling Carbon Monoxide...

Call the Gas Emergency 24 hour hotline - 0800 111 999

Switch off the appliance and do not reuse until remedial action has been taken

Open all doors and windows to ventilate the room – do not sleep in it

Visit your GP urgently and tell them that you believe your symptoms may be related to CO poisoning and request either a blood and/or breath sample

Contact a CORGI registered installer to make repairs
Energy suppliers offer carbon monoxide detectors at reduced prices; many provide them free of charge to older people

What Are Others Saying?
“I am encouraged by the outcome of your survey of ERA members’ activities in raising awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning; there has been considerable effort to find innovative ways in communicating effectively with consumers and co-ordinate suppliers’ campaigns.”
Bill Calaghan, Chair, Health and Safety Commission, 16 August 2005

“CO-Gas Safety is lobbying for the implementation of two recommendations made by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) in 2000; That the gas supply companies (the charity would prefer the whole fuel industry) pay a levy for publicity about the dangers of CO and for research and, that the gas emergency service, which has a duty to make safe from CO as well as from natural gas, has equipment to test for and undertakes tests for this invisible, odourless and silent killer”.

Source: ' Energy Retail Association '

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