Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no colour, taste or smell. It can easily be inhaled without realising it.
High levels of carbon monoxide can kill within minutes. It can also cause a range of health problems from headaches and drowsiness, to lasting brain and nervous system damage.
Causes of carbon monoxide poisoning
The most common cause is when boilers or cookers are installed incorrectly or poorly maintained. Carbon monoxide can also build up in homes when flues, chimneys and vents are blocked.
Lit barbecues emit carbon monoxide, and continue to do so once they are extinguished.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
The most common symptoms 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 good chance that, with high or prolonged exposure, 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 include other people in your house, flat or workplace experiencing similar symptoms, or symptoms disappearing when you leave home and returning when you come back.
What to do in a carbon monoxide emergency
If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, or you spot other signs of carbon monoxide, take the following actions:
- 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 urgent, call 999 for an ambulance
- call the relevant emergency advice line
- contact us and let us know what is happening
Emergency advice lines:
Gas 24 hours: 0800 111 999
Heating equipment testing and approvals scheme: 0845 634 5626
Oil firing technical association: 0845 658 5080
About the annual heating service
We carry out annual heating servicing in all our homes. This includes testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
It is very important you allow us to carry out the service to make sure your heating system is working properly and to help keep your home safe.
Gas and oil servicing safety
We have a duty of care to make sure that all gas and oil appliances we own are serviced every year by Gas Safe-registered engineers.
During the service we check the condition of appliances such as cookers. If unsafe, they are disconnected.
Under your tenancy conditions, you must allow our contractors into your home to carry out gas and oil safety checks. They will contact you when your check is due. You should then make contact and arrange for the engineer to call.
Gas emergency advice
If you smell gas:
- put out any cigarettes or naked flames - do not smoke
- check you have not left a gas tap or cooker on
- immediately turn off the incoming gas supply at the meter
- open windows to ventilate the area
- do not switch any lights or electric switches on or off as this could cause an explosion
- do not use your mobile phone inside your home
- do not use your intercom system
- call Transco on 0800 111 999, from outside your home if using your mobile