Here at RWM Plumbing and Gas we are gas and heating experts. One of the most dangerous gasses we work with is carbon monoxide, because of the potentially fatal carbon monoxide poisoning that can occur. But how does carbon monoxide relate to your gas appliances? Well, this is our guide to carbon monoxide poisoning.
First of all, what is carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, invisible and odourless gas that can escape from faulty gas appliances. Gas cookers, boilers and gas fires can all emit this gas when they are not working optimally, or they have been installed incorrectly. Over time, as you inhale this gas, the carbon monoxide will react with the oxygen in your blood and slowly starve your body of oxygen. This is one reason why all of your gas appliances need to be installed by an experienced and professional gas engineer.
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
There are several symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, but they are so generic and unspecific that the symptoms can be mistaken for a range of other minor illnesses like colds and flus. For this reason, carbon monoxide poisoning can go unnoticed and untreated, and is ultimately fatal. The symptoms include:
- dizziness
- nausea
- weakness
- extreme tiredness
Carbon monoxide alarms
Although carbon monoxide is so difficult to notice, it can be detected by a carbon monoxide alarm. These alarms are key to protecting yourself and your family, and catching carbon monoxide early. You should always fit an alarm in conjunction with the manufacturers instructions, no further away from the gas appliance than the set distance.
In addition, the carbon monoxide alarm needs to be of the highest standard. This is because some of the cheapest alarms are only silent, changing colour instead of emitting a noise. As a result, you need to make sure you purchase the higher quality alarm that will make a sound to wake you up at night, should there be a carbon monoxide gas leak.
For more information or advice, get in touch with the experts today, here at RWM Plumbing and Gas.