Spot the signs around your appliances

Learn how to spot the signs of a Carbon Monoxide leak around your appliance. Fortunately, although you can’t see or smell Carbon Monoxide it’s easy to identify signs that indicate there may be a strong risk of it being produced. Simply look at your gas or heating appliances. Danger signs include:

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 flames

Carbon Monoxide can also be present in smoke from solid fuel or oil appliances. If you are using a gas appliance that should have a crisp blue flame, such as a pilot light, look out for changes. If it turns to a lazy orange flame, the appliance may not be working correctly.

You are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if:

• Your appliance was incorrectly or badly installed

• Your appliance is not working properly and efficiently

• Your appliance has not been safety checked and serviced annually

• There is not enough fresh air in the room due to blocked vents or chimneys and flues

• Your chimney or flue is blocked or has not been swept regularly

• You allow untrained or individuals not qualified for the fuel or appliance to install or maintain your appliances

• There is no audible CO alarm fitted and working in your home

Appliances that are properly installed and serviced and have sufficient ventilation are usually efficient and safe.

To avoid the production of Carbon Monoxide and to make sure you and your family are safe you must have all your fuel-burning appliances safety checked annually by the relevant professional for your fuel type - either a GAS SAFE, HETAS or OFTEC registered installer.

Fit an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm EN50291

Fitting a European standard approved electronic audible carbon monoxide alarm is a good second line of defence after having your appliances safety checked. In fact, if you cannot get a safety check booked in immediately, you should get an audible alarm now and fit it straight away. It will alert you if your appliance leaks Carbon Monoxide until it can be properly checked and certified by a professional.

Carbon Monoxide alarms need to meet European safety standard – EN50291 and must be electronic and audible.