Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed!

Advice for Students

Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no colour, taste or smell. It can be produced by any appliances burning gas, wood, oil or coal, if they are not properly installed and maintained.

When you inhale carbon monoxide it starves your body of oxygen. Even low level exposure over a long period can cause lasting damage to your health, including permanent brain damage. More serious cases can cause death.

To protect yourself:

Whether you are living with you parents or in a rented house, check that your accommodation has an audible carbon monoxide alarm. If not, your landlord may provide one or you can buy one yourself from DIY stores, supermarkets and energy suppliers from as little as £15. ‘Black Spot’ indicators are not recommended as these are often inaccurate and will not alert you if you’re asleep.
Ask your landlord for an up-to-date gas safety certificate for the property – your landlord should make sure all fuel-burning appliances are safety checked and serviced annually by a qualified and registered engineer with the appropriate organisation: Gas Safe Register (gas) , HETAS (solid fuel) or OFTEC (oil).
Know the symptoms and how to take action if you think you may have been poisoned.

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include nausea, dizziness, tiredness, headaches, loss of balance and forgetfulness. These symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of flu (and hangovers!) but other warning signs that could suggest carbon monoxide poisoning include:

other people in your house, flat or University building having similar symptoms;
symptoms disappear when you leave the house or go away on holiday and return when you come back;
symptoms tend to be seasonal – e.g. headaches during the winter when the central heating is used more often.

Other danger signs include:

sooting or staining on or around your appliance.
excessive condensation in the room where the appliance is installed.
lazy yellow / orange coloured gas flames.

If you have spotted signs of a carbon monoxide leak or are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

Open doors or windows for ventilation.
Call the relevant emergency advice line: Gas Emergency Service (24 hours) 0800 111 999; Solid fuels (HETAS) 0845 634 5626; Oil (OFTEC) 0845 658 5080.
Go to your GP or nearest A&E department, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or, if it is urgent, call 999 for an ambulance.
Have all appliances serviced and checked. Do not use them until you’re told it’s safe to do so.

For information and advice on how to stay safe visit:

www.co-bealarmed.co.uk

Welsh Assembly Government - This leaflet explains the symptoms and how to combat carbon monoxide poisoning.

You can't smell it, you can't see it and it can kill!