Carbon Monoxide

You can't see it. You can't smell it. You can't taste it. Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas that is released when any fossil fuel doesn't burn properly.

Breathing it in can make you unwell, and it can kill. Even low levels of exposure, over a long period, can cause serious health issues.

CO poisoning happens when you breathe in even small amounts of this poisonous gas. Every year around 40 people die and over 4,000 are injured because of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

A headache is the most common symptom of mild carbon monoxide poisoning. Other symptoms can include:

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be similar to those of food poisoning and the flu. However, unlike the flu, carbon monoxide poisoning does not cause a high temperature (fever).

• Look out for gas appliances that are burning with a floppy yellow or orange flame that is normally crisp and blue
• Extra condensation inside windows
• Pilot lights on boilers frequently blowing out
• Soot or yellow stains around appliances

All these could be signs of a problem with carbon monoxide.

Get your gas appliances serviced annually by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.

To find a Gas Safe Registered engineer, visit Gas Safe Register - The Official List of Gas Safe Registered Businesses or call 0800 408 5500.  

Get a carbon monoxide alarm to alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide. You can find trusted carbon monoxide alarms in your local DIY store.

Make sure your carbon monoxide alarms are in the correct position too! You can read our guide on setting up your carbon monoxide alarm.

Remember, carbon monoxide alarms are important but they're not a substitute for annual gas safety checks.

It isn't just the gas appliances in your home that can produce CO. Any appliance powered by coal, oil or wood can also produce CO. So, it's also important to be aware of CO if you are planning to stay in holiday accommodation, on a boat or at a campsite. Never use a barbecue in an enclosed space such as a tent or awning.

Landlords are responsible for ensuring that annual gas safety checks are carried out in their properties by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.

Carbon monoxide alarm regulations - England

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 requires landlords to ensure any room used as living accommodation which contains a fuel-burning appliance is equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm (excluding gas cookers). Find out more about the regulation here. 

Carbon monoxide alarm regulations - Wales

Since 2022, the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, under Fitness for Human Habitation regulations, mandates landlords to ensure working CO alarms are fitted in properties with gas, oil-fired or solid fuel-burning appliances.

Landlords in Wales and England are also subject to Building Regulations Document J - England and Wales. This states that any new or replacement solid-fuel appliances require a BS EN 50291 kitemarked carbon monoxide alarm.

These alarms should be fitted in the same room as the appliance. They can be mains or battery powered.

This applies to all landlords, both social and private.

RoSPA CO Hub

Created in collaboration with RoSPA, the carbon monoxide hub is your go-to destination for year-round guidance and resources on carbon monoxide for tenants and landlords.

If you believe your landlord is neglecting their responsibility for gas safety, please contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for free legal advice and know your rights by visiting the Landlords' responsibility for gas safety site for further advice.

Did you know that many of our summer essentials can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if used incorrectly? Including Camping Stoves, Camping Heaters, Lanterns, Charcoal Grills and Barbecues.

If you're planning a BBQ this summer, or renting holiday accommodation with heating or gas facilities, including tents and caravans, you could be at risk from CO poisoning.

We recommend you always travel with a carbon monoxide alarm. It could not only save your life, but the lives of the people you care about.

For more information about how to protect yourself from carbon monoxide this summer visit Silent Killer: Be CO savvy this summer or Carbon Monoxide: Safe 4 Summer.

• Get Creative, Be Safe! For a chance to win £450
• Interested in free gas safety and CO awareness sessions in your school?
• For a chance to win an iPad, help our COdebreakers to crack the code.