You can't see it, smell it or taste it, that's why its known as the silent killer. However, it's important you can spot the signs and symptoms, and know what action to take if you suspect CO.
Alongside the very real dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, living in a shared house for the first time poses its own situations you'll want to avoid...
CO is a highly poisonous gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels (including gas, oil, wood, petrol and coal)
You can’t see it, smell it, hear it or taste it – that’s why it’s known as the ‘silent killer’
CO doesn’t just come from gas appliances, it can occur from any fossil fuelled appliance, such as log fires, coal fires or even charcoal barbeques
Staining on appliance casing or surrounding walls/decoration
Yellow floppy flames
Soot deposits
Excess condensation in a room when an appliance is in operation
General poor condition of appliances
Headaches
Nausea
Dizziness
Breathlessness
Collapse
Loss of consciousness
For more information about carbon monoxide, please visit; sgn.co.uk/carbonmonoxide
The Priority Services Register (PSR) helps energy companies identify customers who need priority support in an emergency, find out more here; sgn.co.uk/help-and-advice/extra-help/priority-services-register
Have your gas appliances checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer
You should buy and fit an audible CO alarm that complies with BS EN 50291
If you are a tenant, by law, your landlord must check your appliances every year. Ask for a copy of the annual gas safety record. Check if your landlord has fitted an audible CO alarm.
The Priority Services Register (PSR) helps energy companies identify customers who need priority support in an emergency, find out more here; sgn.co.uk/help-and-advice/extra-help/priority-services-register
And for general information please visit; sgn.co.uk/carbonmonoxide
