Carbon monoxide safety for council tenants
Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas produced by unsafe gas or solid fuel appliances. You cannot see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide, but it can be deadly – it is sometimes referred to as the 'silent killer'.
Carbon monoxide emergencies
If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds or you suspect a carbon monoxide leak, you must:
- get fresh air immediately – open doors and windows.
- switch off appliances and leave the property.
- call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
- seek medical attention and tell them you suspect you may have carbon monoxide poisoning
If you believe there is immediate danger from a gas appliance, call 0800 111 999.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
Look out for these 6 main symptoms:
- headaches
- dizziness
- nausea
- breathlessness
- collapse
- loss of consciousness
Symptoms may disappear when you leave home and pets may also show signs.
If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning
Get fresh air immediately. You should also:
- open doors and windows.
- switch off appliances and leave the property.
- seek medical attention and inform them about suspected carbon monoxide exposure.
- call 0800 111 999 if there is immediate danger.
Risks in your home
Any fuel that burns can produce carbon monoxide. This includes:
- gas, coal, wood, coke, biofuel, oil, petrol, and diesel
- appliances such as fires, cookers, stoves, room heaters, water heaters, and barbecues
Adequate ventilation is essential for gas appliances to burn properly, ensure that the provided ventilation is clear and that any chimneys or flues within your home are clear or unblocked.
Make sure to keep appliances serviced to reduce any risks.
Warning signs of unsafe appliances
Apart from the symptoms you, others, or your pets may experience in your home there are some other signs of a carbon monoxide leak:
- lazy yellow or orange flames from gas instead of crisp blue
- dark staining around appliances
- pilot lights frequently blowing out
- increased condensation inside windows
Staying safe
As one of our tenants you can contact us using the details at the bottom of the page to have a carbon monoxide alarm installed free of charge. You should also:
- never block vents, grills, air bricks, or flues.
- not use barbecues, generators, or portable fuel-burning appliances indoors
- not sleep in the same room as a back boiler or solid fuel appliance
- not use your heating system if you believe it may be faulty – call us on 01636 650 000
Maintaining your carbon monoxide alarm
To make sure your home is as safe as possible, test your carbon monoxide alarm every month. It is your responsibility to do this as a tenant.
Your home should have a carbon monoxide alarm in every room where a fixed fuel-burning appliance is present (for example gas or solid fuel boiler, gas or solid fuel fire).
To test the alarm, press the test button in the centre of the alarm for 10 seconds.
Do not ignore a beeping alarm – this may indicate a fault or low battery.
If an alarm develops a fault, contact us immediately on 01636 650000
If you are deaf or hard of hearing
If you are a Newark and Sherwood District Council tenant and you have difficulty hearing the sounding alarms or your circumstances have changed, please contact us as soon as possible for further assistance.