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CARBON MONOXIDE

Every year in Britain, around 50 people are killed as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning and many more are seriously injured. As part of its ongoing campaign to reduce the number of these tragedies, British Gas is working to help raise awareness of gas safety standards among owners of holiday properties in Wales.

In Britain, there is specific legislation covering rented holiday accommodation such as chalets, cottages, flats, caravans and narrow boats on inland waterways, in order to protect holidaymakers. By law, owners of these types of accommodation must have their gas appliances inspected for safety by a competent engineer before it is let for the first time and subsequently every 12 months. The record of the inspection must be displayed in a prominent place in the premises so that the occupants can view it.

A recent Health and Safety Executive report highlighted that there is an above average risk of death or injury from carbon monoxide poisoning to people living in privately owned rented accommodation. Therefore, it is more important than ever that holiday homeowners, who let their accommodation, are aware of their legal obligations in terms of safety checks on gas appliances they own in properties or rooms they let.

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, highly poisonous gas with no taste or smell. It can be produced by any appliance, which burns fossil fuels - such as gas, coal or oil - if it is not correctly installed, serviced or checked. By law, anyone who works on gas appliances and installations must be registered with CORGI. Always ask to see the evidence of competence, which is detailed on the engineer’s CORGI ID Card.

There are telltale signs and symptoms that can show if carbon monoxide is being produced by gas appliances in a property;

  • Stains, soot or discolouring around a gas fire, water heater or boiler
  • An appliance flame that is yellow or orange when it normally is a blue one
  • A strange smell when the appliance is on
  • Increased condensation inside windows

If these signs are present then stop using the appliance, open doors and windows to ventilate the room and don't use the appliance again until a CORGI registered engineer has checked it. If necessary, call the Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999

What are the signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
If someone is experiencing flu like symptoms when the appliance is in use, for example

  • Recurring headaches
  • Nausea, sickness, chest and/or stomach pains
  • General tiredness and fatigue

They should seek immediate medical advice.

For further information, go to RoSPA site www.rospa.com/carbonmonoxide

If you would like to download this document please click on one of the links below:

Carbon Monoxide (Word Document 106 Kb)
Carbon Monoxide (PDF Document 127 Kb)


NEVER take risks with gas - if in doubt get qualified CORGI registered engineers to check your appliance.

CO is odourless and colourless - you would be well advised to consider fitting CO detectors in your property.

There is a legal requirement for tourism industry businesses to have regular checks on heating appliances.