Preferred CO detectors should contain an audible alarm and be have British Standards certification. These typically have batteries which will last for up to five years and have a loud alarm which goes off when carbon monoxide is detected giving you time to evacuate the room. Battery powered models with electronic detection are better than the paper based models which use chemical reactions to show a spot on a cardboard detector that changes colour when carbon monoxide levels have increased. These are not recommended as they have a life of around six months and you must remember to replace them regularly. Chemical detectors lack of loud alarms prevents them from waking your family at night time if CO levels rise and this could be a major safety issue. Many types of shops carry these detectors and smoke alarms also.

Are you able to purchase carbon monoxide detectors?

Carbon monoxide detectors can be effective in preventing incidences of carbon monoxide poisoning. You know have a choice of detector types and most of these are available in the shops or online. It is the accumulation of carbon monoxide in an area that sets of your detector. Smoke detectors have become a standard feature in homes and the technology is reliable, CO detectors are not yet as reliable but the technology is making rapid strides. You should ensure you have regular servicing of your appliances and treat your carbon monoxide detector as a secondary, backup measure. It is not your first line of defence.

The advantages of installing a Carbon Monoxide detector in your home

Early warning of heightened CO levels provided by installing a carbon monoxide detector can ensure that fatalities do not occur. Carbon monoxide alarms will sound the alarm before the concentrations of gas have reached the levels where an adult would be effected. Carbon monoxide detectors have installation requirements separate from those of smoke detectors and do not need to be installed at the top of a wall or on the ceiling. Make sure that you will be woken should your carbon monoxide detector go off whilst you are asleep. Install the alarm near your sleeping areas.

The operation of detectors must be checked frequently

Make a note to test your detector on a regular basis to ensure it is working. Refer to the manufacturer instructions to learn how to check that the detector is operating correctly. A detector should be checked at least once per month to confirm it is working properly, if it fails replace it with a new detector without delay. You should note that the ‘test’ button on a co detector will test the alarm rather than confirm that the detector is detecting carbon monoxide. You should note when the detector needs to be replaced, some have an operating life of only 48 months. There are detectors on sale which can operate for 60 months In addition to battery models there are some that are mains powered and have battery backup to cover power failures. The choice is yours. There are combined detectors sold which combine smoke and carbon monoxide detectors within the same case. These may have specific installation instructions as advised by the manufacturer and you should pay particular attention as to how these should be installed.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) cannot be tasted and has no smell giving no opportunity to detect this dangerous gas. Typical gas fire or boiler operation produces harmless gases but lack of oxygen can result in Carbon Monoxide creation. The standard flue gases from a boiler, or other gas appliance such as a gas fire, contain Carbon Dioxide, this is displaced by Carbon Monoxide when the oxygen levels are reduced. Building regulations prescribing ventilation requirements and the widespread availability gas appliance servicing services has reduced the incidence of Carbon Monoxide poisoning although there are still 30 deaths per year.

Can you identify a carbon monoxide problem if you look at your gas appliances?

One way of visually checking for potential problems is to check for signs of staining, sooting or discoloration on or around gas boilers, fires and water heaters. Inspecting gas pilot lights can give early warning of a lack of oxygen in the boiler as the colour of the pilot light may change from blue to yellow. You should call in a trained engineer to maintain your heating system if you notice that the pilot light starts to burn with a yellow light.

What actions can I take to reduce the chances of Carbon Monoxide poisoning?

The underlying cause of carbon monoxide production is lack of ventilation to a gas flame. Gas appliance engineers will check the ventilation and combustion efficiency of your gas appliances during the regular maintenance visits eliminating the causes of poor combustion. Any engineer you contract to service your gas appliances should be CORGI-registered which will ensure that they have the training required to complete the task to the required standards. Fitting a carbon monoxide detector with an audible alarm is also a valuable investment to provide early warning of potential carbon monoxide poisoning. Provision of the recommended ventilation to gas appliances is essential and you should regularly inspect any ventilation vents to ensure that the flow of air can be maintained. Garden plants can also be a danger to you as growth throughout the summer can block air vents to a boiler which may not be in operation until the cold weather returns. Chimney ventilation can become obstructed in the summer by a birds nest and you may not notice id a fire is not used in the summer so a visual inspection should be incorporated in your home maintenance plans. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and CO alarms. If the CO detector alarm goes off make sure it is your CO detector and not your smoke detector.

How dangerous is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Act quickly and be very cautious if there are any signs of carbon monoxide inhalation in your family.There are no second chances with poisoning from this gas so do not delay if you suspect anything. Take action today and ensure you are able to take action tomorrow. Age and good health are no defence against poisoning from carbon monoxide. Your pets could also be injured or worse.

What might I see if there was carbon monoxide in my home?

You may observe common flu like symptoms in someone who is actually suffering from Carbon Monoxide inhalation with features like: -
- persistent headaches
- balance problems
- weariness
- upset stomach and sickness

A CORGI certified gas engineer should be brought in to inspect your gas appliances if you notice these symptoms in your family. Whilst waiting for the engineer to arrive you should ensure that you have opened the windows and everyone has left the house.