Carbon Monoxide (or CO) is a poisonous gas with no smell or taste. It can make you feel unwell, and can even be life-threatening if it builds up.
A danger of not having your gas appliances checked regularly is that they can leak carbon monoxide (CO). Sometimes known as the ‘silent killer’, you can’t see it, smell it or taste it, but it can be deadly. CO prevents oxygen from being absorbed by the body and can cause death in just minutes.
What causes carbon monoxide in the home?
CO is produced when fossil fuels, such as gas, oil, wood, coal, burn without enough oxygen.
Common household appliances used for heating and cooking can produce CO if they are not installed properly, are faulty, or are poorly maintained.
Appliances that can cause CO include:
- Gas boilers
- Gas cookers
- Gas or paraffin heaters
- Wood, gas and coal fires
- Portable generators
Using barbeques or camping stoves inside, and turning on vehicle or lawn mower engines in your garage, can also cause a build-up of CO.
We check your gas appliances once a year to make sure they’re working properly and to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide. We’ve also installed CO detectors in all of our properties with gas appliances, which will sound if there’s a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide in your home.
It's important to remember that while a CO alarm will protect from exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide, it will not sound for lower levels. An alarm should not be used as a substitute for regular servicing and maintenance of appliances.