Winter is coming! Are your heating appliances protected with a Carbon Monoxide alarm?

As much as we may like to deny it, it’s time to admit that winter is coming. As the days draw shorter and the temperature drops, it is time to cosy up! For many of us, that means heating your home through those chilly evenings and frosty mornings.

Whether your heating runs on gas or oil, this means your boiler is burning solid fuel. What many don’t realise is that when you do this, the fuel must be burnt cleanly and efficiently, otherwise it can produce Carbon Monoxide (CO). CO is a poisonous gas that you can’t see, smell or taste, which makes it more dangerous as you won’t know if your appliances are giving off any CO.

What are the effects of Carbon Monoxide poisoning?

CO poisoning is often mistaken for flu, this is because the symptoms are very similar in smaller doses. Symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Breathlessness 
• Nausea 

As it worsens it could lead to collapse and you becoming unconscious. In worst cases, this can be fatal, this is why CO alarms are vital.

NHS - Carbon monoxide poisoning information

Published: Oct 19, 2020