Housing - public health advice

Carbon Monoxide Awareness

Every year around 30 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the UK - an odourless and tasteless gas which can kill or maim in a matter of hours.

Carbon monoxide can occur within dwellings due to the incomplete combustion of fuels such as gas, oil and solid fuels.

The elderly and young are especially vulnerable, particularly when asleep. The early symptoms of CO poisoning can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused with flu - tiredness, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, chest pains and nausea.

By law, (Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1988) landlords are generally responsible for making sure that gas fittings and flues are maintained in good order, and gas appliances and flues are checked for safety every 12 months. They must provide tenants with a copy of the completed gas safety check certificate, if they do not do this, or you are concerned about the safety of the appliances in your rented accommodation then you can contact the Environmental Health department for further advice phone 0845 1211555.

If you live in your own home the risk is just as great but the responsibility is yours and everyone is urged to have their appliances checked at least once a year by registered installers - a CORGI (Council of Registered Gas Installers) installer when dealing with gas; HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme) for solid fuel appliances, or OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association) for oil appliances. Do not attempt to install, or service, appliances yourself.

There are several ways to safeguard against CO poisoning:

  • Have your appliances installed and regularly checked and maintained for safety by a competent engineer
  • Have your chimneys swept regularly - at least once a year - or after a prolonged period when an appliance has not been in use
  • Ensure good ventilation around appliances
  • Do not block or obstruct ventilation grilles or air bricks which provide fixed air paths - clear creeping plants
  • Do not block or obstruct flue outlets or chimneys - birds nests can be a problem
  • Do not cover an appliance or block the hot air outlets
  • Use an audible CO alarm as a back-up precaution, but make sure it complies with European Standard EN 50291


People over the age of 60, chronically sick, disabled, deaf or hearing-impaired, blind or visually impaired are entitled to join their supplier's Priority Service Register. This register is free and entitles them to a free annual gas safety check. For more information on this check the back of the gas bill or phone the Home Heat Helpline 0800 336 699.

Further information on CO poisoning and how to prevent it


Carbon Monoxide - Are you at risk? - Advice from the NHS Opens in a new window

www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/co.htm Opens in a new window

www.co-awareness.org Opens in a new window

www.co-bealarmed.co.uk Opens in a new window

www.trustcorgi.com/consumer/carbonmonoxidekills.htmx Opens in a new window

HSE Gas Safety Advice Line - 0800 300 363

Information on registered installers:

Consumer Direct - www.trustmark.org.uk Opens in a new window or call 0870 163 7373

Corgi - www.trustcorgi.com Opens in a new windowor call 0800 915 0485

HETAS - www.hetas.co.uk/home/about.html Opens in a new windowor call 0845 634 5626

OFTEC - www.oftec.co.uk/consumers.htm Opens in a new windowor call 0845 65 85 080

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