• Your appliance was poorly installed
• Your appliance is not working properly
• Your appliance has not been checked for safety or maintained regularly
• There is not enough fresh air in the room
• Your chimney or flue gets blocked (for example, by bird nests)
• You allow non-CORGI registered engineers to install or maintain your appliance(s)
• You leave your car engine running in a garage or other enclosed space

• Gas flames burn orange or yellow instead of blue
• Stains, soot or discolouring are visible around fire or water heater
• An unusual smell when the appliance is on
• Solid fuel appliances that burn slowly, or go out
• The fire is difficult to light
• Pilot light frequently blows out
• Increased condensation inside windows

Unexpected:

 

• Tiredness
• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Chest pains
• Nausea/vomiting
• Fatigue/exhaustion
• Short term memory loss
• Depression/anxiety
• Palpitations
• Disorientation
• Loss of muscle control
• Unconsciousness

• Get to fresh air immediately
• Open doors an windows to ventilate the room
• Turn off all appliances and do not reuse
• Visit your GP urgently
• Contact a CORGI registered installer/technician to inspect any defective fuel burning appliance and get your chimney/flue (smoke duct in a chimney) inspected

• Make sure chimneys and flues are regularly swept by a competent sweeper
• Boilers and heating systems and appliances should be installed, maintained and regularly serviced by a competent engineer (for gas appliances, make sure they are CORGI registered)
• Never cook a barbeque indoors – the charcoal gives of carbon monoxide
• It is best to buy appliances from reputable dealers, make sure they fit the appropriate British or European Safety requirements
• Avoid buying second hand appliances – if you do, make sure they have been tested for safety
• Insist on a guarantee from the dealer and a copy of the user instructions
• Never install of reconnect an appliance yourself
• By law, gas appliances must be fitted and maintained by an installer who is registered with CORGI
• Have all your gas appliances serviced regularly by a CORGI-registered installer – once a year for gas fires and boilers.  Ensure this includes a safety check to make sure flues are working properly
• Ventilation is vital – never obstruct or block any vent
• Make sure heaters are well clear of curtains, furniture and bedding

• Ask to see a copy of the current Gas Landlords Certificate, this is a record of safety checks carried out
• Ensure the safety checks were carried out by a CORGI-registered engineer
• Do not use any gas appliances that you think may be unsafe
• Do not attempt DIY work on appliances

• Carbon monoxide detectors should comply with British Standard BS 7860 – these should be used as early warning indicators only – they are not a substitute for regular servicing

• Carbon monoxide detectors should NOT be installed near to smoke alarms or fuel burning appliances
• One detector should be installed at knee height near the sleeping are of your home
• ALWAYS follow the manufacturers instructions for proper use and maintenance
• Use detectors as warnings only, DO NOT replace regular checks with detectors
• Carbon monoxide detectors DO NOT replace smoke detectors