Carbon Monoxide – the silent killer

Reduce the risk of being poisoned by the deadly gas carbon monoxide, with these simple tips.

There are over 20 deaths a year from this silent killer, plus around 200 serious incidents each year where people only narrowly survive carbon monoxide poisoning.

Such cases are caused by faulty or badly-serviced gas and other fossil-fuel-burning appliances and systems. Carbon monoxide (sometimes referred to by its chemical symbols CO) is known as the silent killer because you can’t see it, hear it, smell it or taste it. With a potentially cold winter ahead, there are fears of more deaths resulting from poorly maintained heating systems.

Carbon monoxide can be given off by all fossil fuels. You need to look out for:

• Boiler pilot light flames burning orange, instead of blue
• Sooty stains on or near appliances
• Excessive condensation in the room
• Coal or wood fires that burn slowly or go out
• Families suffering prolonged flu-like symptoms.

Take a few simple precautions to reduce your risk:

• Have your gas appliances serviced annually by a gas engineer who is registered with Gas Safe Register (in Great Britain and the Isle of Man). (The CORGI registration scheme continues to operate in Northern Ireland).
• Use professionals to service any other fossil-fuel burning appliances such as oil or coal burning stoves annually
• Fix carbon monoxide detectors in your home; these can be purchased from most DIY-type stores.
• Ensure that such detectors are maintained and replaced according to packaging instructions.

Be aware that high levels of carbon monoxide can be found in other buildings; for example two children from the UK were recently poisoned by carbon monoxide in their holiday home abroad. Whilst the responsibility to check safety lies with the owner and holiday operator, you may find it reassuring to pack a small (credit card-sized) carbon monoxide warning card, put it up, go out for an hour or two and check it on return. If the gas is present a small disc in the centre of the card turns grey, then black. The cards cost about £10 and last for a year – a small price to pay for the safety of you and your family.

Earlier in 2006 RoSPA and Corgi joined forces to produce five hard-hitting short films, which feature people who have lost relatives, or who have themselves been poisoned.

On April 1, 2009, Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI as the scheme under which anyone carrying out domestic and commercial gas work must be registered in Great Britain and the Isle of Man. Click here to find out more or visit: www.gassaferegister.co.uk . A film about the change in arrangements can be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyI-j8uGjks

RoSPA's 'What is Silent, Invisible and Deadly?' publication is available at £25 for a pack of 100 to Non-Members and £21.22 for RoSPA Members. Call 0121 248 2233 or email sales@rospa.com

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