Q. What is carbon monoxide?
A. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels including gas, oil, wood and coal. Carbon-based fuels are safe to use, but when fuel does not burn fully, carbon monoxide is produced.
Q. What is the easiest way to detect carbon monoxide?
A. Carbon monoxide can be difficult to detect, as it is colourless, odourless and tasteless. One of the best ways to detect carbon monoxide is by using a good quality audible carbon monoxide detector.
Q. Where is carbon monoxide produced in the home?
A. Carbon monoxide can be produced by burning fossil fuels in gas boilers, engines, oil burners, gas fires, water heaters, gas ovens, solid fuel appliances and open fires. Usually only very small amounts of carbon monoxide occur.
Q. What are the early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
A. The most common symptoms of mild carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, nausea and feeling tired or confused - in fact, very similar to those of the common cold or a bout of winter flu. If you suspect you may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, you should see your GP immediately.
Q. What should I be looking out for around the home?
- Pilot light on your appliance needs frequent relighting
- Have you noticed a change in the colour of the boiler flames from blue to orange or yellow?
- Increased amounts of condensation on windows
- Yellow or brown staining and soot on or around appliances
Q. How can carbon monoxide be prevented?
A. Simple steps:
- Ensure your gas appliances are installed by a Gas Safe registered heating engineer.
- Make sure that your gas appliance is serviced annually by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. heateam, the service division of Baxi Group, can carry out a thorough annual service of your Baxi appliances. All heateam engineers are Gas Safe Registered.
- Don't block any purpose provided ventilation.
- If you have doubts about the installation of a gas appliance or you want to check one that is not working don't be tempted to resolve it yourself, contact a Gas Safe registered installer.
- For added peace of mind, consider purchasing and installing an audible carbon monoxide alarm. However, this should not be used as a substitute for regular servicing.
- If you live in rented accommodation, your landlord must, by Law, provide you with evidence that a Gas Safe registered installer has safety-checked the appliances within the last 12 months.