KNOW THE DANGERS.

Carbon monoxide is an odourless deadly gas that is produced when an appliance is starved of air for combustion and is not burning correctly. A yellow flame can sometimes indicate this.

THE CAUSE.

When gas gets burnt it gives off harmless carbon dioxide. If flues are blocked or air is restricted the air is burnt again and the gas given off is the harmful carbon monoxide.

THE SYMPTOMS.

If you feel SICK, HEADACHES or DIZZY when the boiler is on you may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

DO NOT.

   Use appliances for heating unless specifically made for the purpose.
(For example cookers must not be used, it is dangerous because they have no flue).

   Block up air vents. When the weather is cold you use the heating even more. Blocking up vents will starve the appliance of air.

   Rely only on a carbon-monoxide detector.

DO.

   Turn off the appliance if you feel the symptoms.

   Have your appliances regularly checked by a Corgi engineer.

There is a happy side to this……

Due to improving safety standards cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are on the decrease.  Some appliances are now fitted with sensors which shut down if there is a fault.