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Public Health England (PHE) has issued a warning to households to get their fossil fuel and wood burning appliances checked by an appropriately registered engineer before winter sets in.

PHE says that around 30 accidental deaths a year result from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in England and Wales. The gas is difficult to detect because it has no colour, smell or taste.

The first signs of CO leaks may be a black edge to the ceiling and staining on walls near an appliance. Fitting a CO detector and making sure the battery is working can also help protect against CO poisoning. Fitting the device near an appliance is recommended.

The initial symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, nausea and sleepiness. The gas can be a killer in small, enclosed spaces – and smoking cigarettes while in an enclosed space can increase the risks. It is advisable to keep a window open when cooking or smoking – and not to use barbecue cookers indoors or near the open flap of a tent or caravan, as fumes can drift into tents or caravans.

In homes, many deaths from CO poisoning take place between November and February, due to faulty fossil fuel and wood burning appliances leaking the lethal gas. To lower the risk, PHE recommends that fossil fuel and wood burning appliances are regularly checked.

However, the installation of a CO alarm – which can be bought at DIY retailers and supermarkets – should not replace regular servicing of all fossil fuel and wood burning appliances by a registered engineer, warns the PHE.

It is estimated that around 4,000 people attend accident and emergency departments in England each year because of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Although most of the 4,000 people would not be ill enough to be admitted to hospital, long-term exposure to carbon monoxide is associated with neurological effects, such as difficulty in concentrating.

Dr Sotiris Vardoulakis, Head of Environmental Change at PHE’s Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards (CRCE), said:

“Although carbon monoxide is difficult to detect, there are sometimes indicators that may suggest a fault with domestic appliances or flues.

“The signs of trouble are black sooty marks on the radiants – the clay bars above the gas flames of gas fires – or sooty marks on the wall around stoves, boilers or fires, and smoke accumulating in rooms due to faulty flues.

“In addition, yellow instead of blue flames from gas appliances is another sign that there may be a fault with the appliance, although this does not apply to fuel-effect, living-flame or decorative-flame gas fires, as they are designed to look like flames from solid fuel appliances.

“If you see any of these signs, turn off your appliances, open your windows and have an appropriately registered engineer check the appliance as soon as possible.”

At high levels, CO poisoning can cause sudden collapse, loss of consciousness and death. Other symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, chest pains, nausea and vomiting.

PHE says people who suspect they have been affected by carbon monoxide should go outside and call NHS 111 for advice.

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – No win no fee Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise those who have suffered illness as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation.

CO poisoning claims have to be made within three years of illness or diagnosis of illness – and children can claim compensation for CO poisoning up to the age of 21.

In cases where a loved one has lost their life as a result of CO poisoning that was caused by negligence, Duncan Lewis offers sympathetic advice to bereaved families on how to make a no win no fee Fatal Injuries Claim.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.