Carbon monoxide (or CO gas), is produced by defective gas appliances, and is incredibly dangerous. The human body regulates our breathing not by the amount of oxygen in our blood supply, but by the levels of CO2. We breathe in when CO2 levels increase. However, carbon monoxide does not have the same impact. This tasteless, unscented and colourless gas reduces the quantity of oxygen your blood can hold. The consequences of overexposure to carbon monoxide in concentration of more than 100ppm could result in carbon monoxide poisoning, which can prove fatal.
Exposure to a mild dose (concentrations under 100ppm), can still produce side effects such as headaches, fatigue, faintness, nausea and being sick; symptoms which could be mistaken for flu. So, to avoid CO in your home environment, ensure that all gas appliances in your home are serviced frequently, particularly gas boilers and heaters, as all servicing involves CO testing. In addition to this, make sure that all flues and chimneys are kept well swept, as open fires can produce CO if a flue or chimney is blocked. Then fit carbon monoxide detectors in your home, ideally one per floor/storey, to stay as safe as possible.
Unlike humans, carbon monoxide detectors are able to identify very small concentrations of the gas in your home to ensure that you are aware of them in your atmosphere as soon as possible!
If your home has one or more gas appliances or fires, you should have one detector as a minimum.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors are available for £39.96 incl. P & P