Protecting Your Home and Family From Carbon Monoxide

We might feel safe and protected in our homes but there are still risks present. Carbon Monoxide is a serious risk as it is clear, odourless and silent and that can lead to death if people inhale high levels of the gas. 

As the gas cannot be detected by humans, there are certain steps that we can take to help identify the signs and symptoms while also recognising what causes leaks. IT also helps to ensure that appliances such as boilers are installed and serviced correctly.

One of the main concerns about carbon monoxide poisoning is that you might not even be aware of the symptoms initially, especially if you have only been exposed to a small amount of gas. However, a headache is probably one of the main initial symptoms to keep an eye out for as this is a common sign of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Along with this, you might also experience symptoms such as sickness, dizziness, stomach pains and even tiredness and confusion. In fact, these symptoms are very similar to that of other illnesses such as food poisoning or the flu although you won’t experience a high temperature with it.  The more gas that you are exposed to, the worse your symptoms become. However, once you move away from it, you might find that you feel better.

One of the main reasons for exposure to carbon monoxide is that your everyday household appliances have not been installed correctly or haven’t been well maintained. Poor ventilation can also cause a problem but it can affect the likes of heaters and ovens but also central heating boilers.

There is no hard or fast rule as to when you should get your boiler serviced but you should have it serviced at least once a year where possible. This is because a service will include all safety checks and that will mean that engineers check for gas and carbon monoxide leaks, giving you and your family complete peace of mind.

Furthermore, it will also ensure that your boiler is working at its peak which means it is working efficiently and will ensure that you keep your bills down. Finally, having your boiler serviced annually will ensure that your warranty remains valid and that could mean that you avoid having to pay a lot of money for any repairs that might not have been covered if you had overlooked a boiler service. 

A carbon monoxide alarm will keep you informed should it detect high levels of carbon monoxide in your home. It is an essential piece of kit for anyone who has a boiler installed. In fact, it is now becoming a legal requirement in some parts of the UK to have an alarm should homes have fuel burning boilers. 

Therefore, it is recommended that the alarm should be located in the same room as your boiler but at least 1 metre away from it while it must be placed around 15cm from the ceiling. You should also make sure that you test the alarm regularly to make sure that it works or needs changing.

Any work that you undertake around your home that could impact your appliances or pipework could lead to significant problems. Therefore, it can help to identify the potential risks that come with carrying out this work. Any kind of work could mean that you increase your risk of exposure to carbon monoxide as it could result in damage caused to pipework or ventilation.

So, your boiler is an integral part of the home and you will rely on it heavily. Despite this, it is an appliance that poses a risk if it is not maintained correctly. Therefore, to ensure you minimise the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, you should have your boiler serviced regularly.