Carbon Monoxide Facts and Alarm Giveaway
Why should people be alarmed?
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no colour, taste or smell, meaning it can easily be inhaled without somebody realising. When carbon monoxide is breathed in, it starves the body of oxygen. High levels can kill within minutes, but it can also cause a range of non-fatal health problems, ranging from headaches and drowsiness through to lasting brain and nervous system damage.
Despite the dangers, studies have shown that fewer than one in ten homes have a carbon monoxide alarm.* An audible carbon monoxide alarm is the only effective way for people to protect themselves and their families. Recent regulatory changes in Northern Ireland and Scotland will see more alarms installed in homes. However, not everyone will be covered, so we urge people, wherever they are based, to purchase and install an alarm today.
Young children and elderly people are particularly at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning because their bodies are less able to withstand the effects. Women should also be aware that if they don’t have an alarm and are pregnant they are putting their unborn child at risk.
How many people are affected?
According to the Department of Health, more than 50 people in England and Wales die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, and thousands more are treated in hospital. It is likely many more victims go unrecognised because the early symptoms can easily be mistaken for common illnesses such as flu or food poisoning.
What are the causes of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, charcoal, coal and wood do not burn fully. The most common cause of this is when a household fuel-burning appliance, such as a boiler or cooker, is installed incorrectly or is poorly maintained.
Carbon monoxide can also build up in homes when flues, chimneys or vents are blocked, and lit barbeques emit carbon monoxide, and continue to do so once they’re extinguished.
Four steps to protect yourself
The Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! campaign recommends four simple steps to keep your household safe:
1. Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm in your home – if you don’t have one, go and get one today. You can get them from most energy suppliers, DIY stores and supermarkets and many other high street shops. Make sure you buy an audible alarm – it should meet the European standard, EN50291. The alarm will sound if too much carbon monoxide is in the air.
2. Have fuel-burning appliances serviced annually by a registered professional.
3. Don’t block ventilation points and get chimneys swept at least once a year.
4. Learn about the danger signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning at www.co-bealarmed.co.uk
5. There have been a number of cases recently of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by barbeques in enclosed spaces, such as in tents. When camping, be sure not to bring your barbeque inside with you, lit or extinguished, as the build-up of carbon monoxide emitted in a small space can be fatal.
What are the symptoms?
Carbon monoxide can be fatal and can lead to a range of serious health problems including lasting brain and nervous system damage.
The symptoms of mild poisoning are often similar to common illnesses such as flu or food-poisoning, meaning people often don’t realise they are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning until the symptoms get worse.
The most common symptoms of mild poisoning are: nausea, dizziness, tiredness, headaches and abdominal pain. Some people may also vomit.
The longer someone breathes in carbon monoxide, the worse the symptoms will get. They may lose their balance, vision and memory. There is also a high chance with high or prolonged exposure that they will fall unconscious or, at worst, die. This can happen within two hours if there is a lot of carbon monoxide in the air.
Other warning signs that suggest carbon monoxide poisoning include:
· Other people in your house, flat or workplace experiencing similar symptoms
· Symptoms disappearing when you leave your home and returning when you come back
What to do in an emergency
If your alarm goes off or you spot other signs of carbon monoxide:
· Open doors or windows for ventilation and leave your home immediately
· Stop using all your cooking and heating appliances that use fuels such as gas, oil wood, charcoal or coal. Seek immediate advice from your GP if you think you have carbon monoxide poisoning or, if it is urgent, call 999 for an ambulance
· Call the relevant emergency advice line: Gas Emergency Service (24 hours) 0800 111 999; Solid fuels (HETAS) 0845 634 5626; Oil (OFTEC) 0845 658 5080
· Have all appliances serviced and checked. Do not use them until you are told it’s safe to do so
For information and advice on how to stay safe visit: www.co-bealarmed.co.uk
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91 Comments
Tracey Peach
November 2 at 8:49 am
Headache
Paul Wilson
November 2 at 8:51 am
Dizziness.
Laura H
November 2 at 9:00 am
Dizziness
kenny
November 2 at 9:08 am
nausea, dizziness, tiredness, headaches and abdominal pain
katie
November 2 at 9:11 am
Nausea
Lorraine Tinsley
November 2 at 9:14 am
Headache
Anthony Priest
November 2 at 9:25 am
headache
Jo Jones
November 2 at 9:26 am
The most common symptoms of mild poisoning are: nausea, dizziness, tiredness, headaches and abdominal pain. Some may also vomit.
Annie Costa
November 2 at 9:28 am
nausea
Sarah Higgins
November 2 at 9:51 am
Tiredness
Sarah Wyatt
November 2 at 10:59 am
Nausea
cristina curran (@cricrinapoli1)
November 2 at 11:12 am
Dizziness
Karen Barrett
November 2 at 12:14 pm
Dizziness
Leanne V mckenna
November 2 at 12:31 pm
Headache
David Vessey
November 2 at 12:36 pm
Nausea
Kat Lucas
November 2 at 12:40 pm
Dizziness
Rebecca maddocks
November 2 at 1:43 pm
Headache
Zoe G
November 2 at 2:35 pm
Nausea
Adele Hill
November 2 at 2:39 pm
Nausea
rebecca
November 2 at 3:26 pm
vomiting
Christopher Powell
November 2 at 3:57 pm
Dizziness
Muhammad Asim
November 2 at 4:04 pm
headaches
Hilda Wright
November 2 at 5:36 pm
headache!
Lauren
November 2 at 7:02 pm
Nausea
Wayne Smart
November 2 at 7:03 pm
Headache
Tracy Newton
November 2 at 7:20 pm
Dizziness
Caroline
November 2 at 7:23 pm
Nausea
Shazia khan
November 2 at 7:24 pm
Nausea
Victoria Ann Entwistle
November 2 at 8:20 pm
Dizziness
anthony harrington
November 2 at 9:08 pm
Dizziness
Danika Lloyd
November 2 at 9:48 pm
nausea
Ben Potts
November 2 at 10:18 pm
abdominal pain
Carrie Ashton
November 2 at 11:01 pm
Headaches
Rosalind Sargent
November 2 at 11:58 pm
Tiredness
Joseph Watson
November 3 at 8:51 am
Nausea
Kelly Dutton
November 3 at 9:23 am
Dizziness
Claire Smith
November 3 at 11:36 am
Headache
Maggie Coates (@Pumpkin2k9)
November 3 at 2:16 pm
headache
Tammy Tudor
November 3 at 3:35 pm
Nausea
svetlana lemantovic
November 3 at 5:45 pm
Nausea
Gavin Beale
November 3 at 7:23 pm
Nausea
Deborah Wheeler
November 3 at 7:23 pm
Headache
Stewart Waddell
November 3 at 9:17 pm
Dizziness
Jill Webb
November 4 at 9:09 am
tiredness,
Stephanie Whitehouse
November 4 at 11:50 am
nausea
Rob Griffiths
November 4 at 4:49 pm
Dizziness
soozybee
November 4 at 6:17 pm
Headaches
Mummy of Two
November 5 at 1:03 pm
Nausea
Sarah N
November 5 at 2:43 pm
Headaches
Jeremy Hards
November 5 at 7:12 pm
Nausea
Jane Henshaw
November 5 at 8:44 pm
Headache
Diana
November 5 at 10:16 pm
Headache
Donna Kent
November 6 at 1:12 am
You said one so I’ll go with headaches as this is usually what I get when I’ve been sleeping with the heating on and doors closed, slowly poisoning myself from my own breathing.
cathyj
November 6 at 5:55 am
headaches
angela sandhu (@angiesandhu)
November 6 at 8:33 am
Headache
Kim Howard
November 6 at 12:52 pm
Dizziness!
Mickie Bull (@MorningPostie)
November 6 at 1:20 pm
Dizziness
Starry (@Orangeblossom78)
November 7 at 1:13 pm
Headaches
Amy Ripley
November 7 at 10:21 pm
Headaches!
Val swift
November 10 at 4:47 pm
Dizziness
Emma Lewis
November 10 at 11:41 pm
Nausea
Jo Booth
November 11 at 10:10 am
feeling dizzy
Hannah ONeill
November 11 at 9:11 pm
Nausea
tony allan
November 12 at 9:08 pm
Headache
Cris Curran
November 13 at 9:35 pm
Dizziness
Susie Wilkinson
November 17 at 9:55 am
Nausea
Solange
November 17 at 6:44 pm
Dizziness
Rachael Lines
November 23 at 8:58 am
Headache
ESME MCCRUBB
November 23 at 9:50 pm
HEADACHE
CATHERINE WILLIAMS
November 25 at 12:35 am
headaches
kim neville (@kimneville2)
December 2 at 7:01 am
Dizziness
Clint Thompson
December 3 at 9:08 pm
Nausea
leanne williams
December 4 at 6:55 am
headache
Hazel Christopher
December 4 at 9:26 am
Dizziness
Lisa Sands
December 5 at 12:22 pm
Headache x
TracyJo
December 5 at 2:31 pm
Tiredness
SHARON ASLLANI
December 5 at 6:36 pm
Dizziness
Hazel Rush
December 5 at 9:02 pm
Nausea
Rebecca Lis (@bex552)
December 5 at 9:49 pm
Nausea
Robyn Logan Clarke
December 5 at 10:58 pm
Headache
Emma Boitoult
December 5 at 11:13 pm
Nausea
James Holyland
December 6 at 3:28 am
Nausea
jodie harvey
December 6 at 12:14 pm
headache
Karen M Colquhoun
December 6 at 1:35 pm
headache
Kay Braisher
December 6 at 2:39 pm
abdominal pain
Alice Beaumont
December 6 at 6:50 pm
Dizziness
Teresa Lee
December 6 at 9:10 pm
Dizziness
Kieran
December 6 at 9:25 pm
nausea
Helen Garner
December 6 at 10:18 pm
headache
Vicki Harper-Ward
December 6 at 10:51 pm
Headaches
Alex Pimson
June 25 at 6:58 pm
Carbon monoxide on top of being the ‘silent’ killer also has such a low awareness. There are alot of petitions online that are gaining more and more members that are trying to get CO detectors installed in every home, I personally think that would be a great Idea. I bought one for me and my parents from http://www.dhsspares.co.uk about 6 months ago. there are alot of online places that do safety deals and you can pick high quality ones up for a fraction of the normal price so it is always worth keeping your eyes open for promotions. Sorry for commenting on an old post its just something that I feel more people should definitely be made aware of…..