Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide gas is colourless and does not smell, so you cannot tell if it is around you.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

a headache
dizziness
feeling sick or being sick
feeling weak
tiredness and confusion
chest and muscle pain
shortness of breath
your face turning hot and red (flushing) - but redness may be harder to see on brown and black skin
loss of vision

The symptoms may come and go. They may get worse when you spend time in an affected room or building and get better when you leave or go outside.

Causes of carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by breathing in carbon monoxide gas.

Common household appliances used for heating and cooking can produce carbon monoxide if they are not installed properly, are faulty or are poorly maintained.

Appliances that can produce carbon monoxide include:

gas boilers
gas cookers and clay ovens
gas or paraffin heaters
wood, gas and coal fires
portable generators

Using barbecues or camping stoves inside, and turning on vehicle or lawn mower engines in an enclosed space (such as a garage) can also cause a build-up of carbon monoxide.

What to do if you think you have carbon monoxide poisoning

If you think you might have carbon monoxide poisoning:

stop using appliances you think might be making carbon monoxide (such as a boiler, cooker or heater) if you can
go outside
get medical advice as soon as possible - do not go back into the affected building until you have got advice

Call NHS 111 if:

you think you might have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

You think you or someone else has been exposed to carbon monoxide and:

are finding it hard to breathe
have suddenly become confused
have lost consciousness
are feeling weak
have chest or muscle pain

Find your nearest A&E

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Treatments for carbon monoxide poisoning

You will need to be checked in hospital if you have carbon monoxide poisoning.

While you are in hospital, you will usually have tests to check the level of carbon monoxide in your blood.

You may also be given oxygen through a mask.

How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

There are some things you can do to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Do

get a carbon monoxide alarm that makes a loud sound if there's carbon monoxide present - get 1 for each room of your home containing appliances that burn gas, oil, coal or wood
get heating and cooking appliances properly installed and keep them well maintained
make sure boilers, heaters and cookers are serviced regularly by a qualified and registered engineer
keep rooms well ventilated, and make sure chimneys and flues are clean and well maintained

Don't

do not use a barbecue or camping stove indoors or inside a tent
do not leave vehicles or other engines on in enclosed spaces (such as a garage)
do not use oversized cooking pots on your stove that cover up more than 1 gas ring

If you think a gas appliance is leaking carbon monoxide, call the free National Gas Helpline immediately on 0800 111 999.

The service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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