• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DIY Doctor

Main navigation

      • All Projects
      • Brick, Block, Masonry and Concrete
      • Damp, Condensation, Rot and Woodworm
      • Doors, Windows and Conservatories
      • Electrical
      • Fencing, Decking, Paving and Patios
      • Floors, Walls, Ceilings and Lofts
      • Garages, Sheds and Outbuildings
      • Gardening and Landscaping
      • General Building, Self Build and Renovation
      • General Repairs and Cleaning
      • Green Living and Eco DIY
      • Ground, Foundations and Drainage
      • Heating, Central Heating and Boilers
      • Joinery and Carpentry
      • Materials, Fixings and Fixing
      • Painting, Decorating and Finishing
      • Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety
      • Plastering, Plasterboard and Rendering
      • Plumbing
      • Roofing and Gutters
      • Tiling and Tiles
      • Tools, Appliances and Access
      • DIY Tips
      • Bathroom DIY Videos
      • Decorating Videos
      • Green and Eco Friendly Videos
      • Kitchen Videos
      • Building Foundation Videos
      • Electrical Videos
      • Hand and Power Tools Videos
      • Plumbing Videos
      • Building Videos
      • Fitting Blinds Videos
      • Heating and Central Heating Videos
      • Security Videos
      • Carpentry and Woodworking Videos
      • Flooring Videos
      • Kitchen Videos
      • Damp and Damp Proofing Videos
      • Gardening Videos
      • Plastering and Drylining Videos
      • Find a Tradesman
      • Contract Download
      • Working With Tradesmen - Ultimate Guide
      • Home Improver Protection
      • Price Doctor
      • Tool Store
      • Book Store
      • Tool Reviews and Product Reviews
      • Blog
      • DIY Competitions
      • About DIY Doctor
      • What we do
      • Trade Shows and Exhibitions
      • Master Classes
      • Contact Us

Home > DIY How To Projects and Tutorial Guides > Carbon Monoxide Safety: Detection and Prevention

Carbon Monoxide Safety: Detection and Prevention

All about carbon monoxide safety and how to use detectors to stay safe from poisoning. Detecting carbon monoxide and avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon Monoxide safety information and advice on detectors and alarm.

Don't want to do this job yourself? Let us help you find a tradesman local to you

TwitterFacebookPin ItBuffer
Project Page Menu
  • How to Tutorial
  • Video
  • Find Tradesmen
  • Help

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a gas produced when fossil fuels are not completely burned, i.e. their combustion is incomplete. Fires, and other fossil fuel burning appliances usually allow the carbon monoxide to ventilate properly. This relieves the danger associated with a build up of carbon monoxide in a situation where it cannot escape.

If rooms are poorly ventilated and/or your chimney is blocked, Carbon Monoxide can build up. If your flue is faulty, Carbon Monoxide can seep through the walls and build up in a closed room well away from the fire itself. The gas is odourless (it cannot be smelled). It is tasteless and it has no colour. It also kills about 30 people per year directly and is responsible for lasting health damage in many many more.

Carbon Monoxide is very dangerous. It is absorbed by our blood 240 times more easily than the oxygen our blood is designed to carry to the rest of our body from our lungs. The Carbon Monoxide sticks to the blood, starving it of the oxygen we need. Because the Carbon Monoxide causes confusion in the mind the victim often does not even realise there is a problem. Then; they die.

A National campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide has been launched at Carbon Monoxide Be Alarmed. The Campaign is supported by Kirsty Allsopp.

Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed Campaign

Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed Campaign

How can you see signs of Carbon Monoxide?

Although you cannot see Carbon Monoxide, it is possible to see the signs that it might be present. If a fireplace is not ventilating properly you will usually see signs of soot stains around the perimeter.

This also applies to other appliances such as solid fuel cookers, wood burners, gas fires etc. If Carbon Monoxide is present in a room there may be excessive condensation. Also look for a lazy orange flame in a gas burning appliance which would ordinarily have a bright blue flame.

Battery operated Carbon Monoxide detector

Battery operated Carbon Monoxide detector

How can This Happen?

If your chimney is blocked and has not been swept, Carbon Monoxide can be produced. If your fire or appliances were installed by an untrained body they may not have ventilated the equipment properly. If your appliance is old and inefficient, Carbon Monoxide can occur. If there is no ventilation to fire or room, Carbon Monoxide can build to dangerous levels.

What are the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning?

Check chimney flue is clear and sound

Check chimney flue is clear and sound

Very few people know the signs of Carbon Monoxide poisoning and many deaths result because the symptoms go unrecognised. The signs of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are very similar to flu showing nausea, dizziness, tiredness, headaches, loss of balance and forgetfulness. The best way to check is to get the sufferer into fresh air immediately. If they feel better they may have Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Who is at Risk?

Obviously everyone who burns fossil fuels in unsuitable or dangerous appliances, but older people are most vulnerable to Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Despite this fact, and despite substantial TV advertising, over half of people over 55 in this country do not have Carbon Monoxide alarms fitted in their homes. Also affected greatly are toddlers and people with anemia. Those with heart or lung diseases will be affected badly. Research has now found that there is a definite relationship between symptoms of heart disease, angina, heart attacks and Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

What is the Answer?

An audible Carbon Monoxide detector! Yes its that simple. Corgi approved Carbon Monoxide detectors can be bought here (see image above) for less than £20.00 for a simple battery operated model or more sophisticated, mains models (see left) can be bought for £35 – £50. Click on the images to look at, or buy, the product.

Carbon Monoxide Mains detector

Carbon Monoxide Mains detector

What do I do in an Emergency?

If you discover someone who is suffering from Carbon Monoxide poisoning, get them into the open air as quickly as possible.If it is possible, give them pure oxygen. Keep them still (Exertion will exacerbate the problem). Professional medical help should be called as soon as possible.

For Emergency medical help call 999 or for medical advice call NHS Direct on 0845 4647

For emergency help relating to the appliance/s which may be causing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning you can call:

Gas:

Gas Emergency Service: 0800 111 999

Health and Safety Executive for gas safety advice: 0800 300 363

Solid Fuel & Oil :

HETAS: 0845 634 5626 – NAPIT: 0870 444 1392 – BESCA: 0800 652 5533 –

Oil only:

OFTEC: 0845 658 5080

All types of fuel:

0870 414 5533

Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed Campaign

Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed Campaign

All project content written and produced by Mike Edwards, founder of DIY Doctor and industry expert in building technology.

TwitterFacebookPin ItBuffer

Video

Back to the Top

Find a Reliable Local Tradesman

Back to the Top
Don't fancy doing this project yourself? We work with the industries best to ensure that we recommend only reliable and trustworthy tradesmen.
Let DIY Doctor help you find a tradesman

Find a tradesman now!


More Help

Back to the Top
Related Projects That May Help You:
  • Fitting a Gel Fireplace
  • How to Fit a Flue Liner
  • Installing a Wood Burning Stove
  • How to Fit a Fireplace
  • Opening and Closing a Fireplace
Give us Some Feedback!

We love feedback on our DIY tutorials it helps us to make them the best they possibly can be so if you have any comments you would like to share with us, click the button below and let us know.

Primary Sidebar

DIY Doctor deal of the week

Blue Groove Set:

Auger and flat bit 8 piece set

RRP Price: £68.04

Special Price: £29.15

Get it here now

See our other deals now!

Master Basic DIY - By DIY Doctor

Our Book - Master Basic DIY

Grab your copy now for all the DIY help you need right at your finger tips!

Buy it Here!

Signup for our Newsletter

Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals

Sign Me Up!

Our Sponsors

Find out about advertising on DIY Doctor

Advertisments

Other Similar Projects
  • How To Fit A Fire And Fireplace Safely
  • Staying Safe From Monoxide Poisoning By Fitting A New, Flexible Flue
  • Sage Gel Fires With No Worries About Fumes And Poisoning
  • How To Open Or Close An Old Fireplace
  • Fitting A Woodburner In A Way Which Will Keep You Safe From Fumes

Footer

DIY Doctor

Site Menu

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Media/Press
  • Community Work
  • DIY Projects
  • DIY Videos
  • Superstore
  • DIY Tips
  • DIY Suppliers
  • UK DIY Forum
  • DIY Webinars

Other Stuff

  • Advertise
  • Competitions
  • T and Cs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • NHIC
  • Sitemap

DIY Doctor Social Channels

Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on Pinterest
Follow us on Tumblr

DIY Doctor are members of:

© DIY Doctor Ltd 2022 All Rights Reserved