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Carbon monoxide poisoning - Management
What advice can I give about preventing carbon monoxide poisoning?

  • Advise people to:
    • Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm that meets European Standard EN 50291 showing a British Standards Kitemark or Loss Prevention Certification Board logo. These are inexpensive and widely available in hardware stores.
    • Keep rooms well ventilated while using an appliance.
    • Have all appliances, flues, and chimneys correctly installed and serviced regularly by a registered engineer.
      • By law, engineers fitting or servicing gas appliances must be CORGI registered. This is due to be replaced in 2009 by a new registration scheme approved by the Health and Safety Executive called the Gas Safe Register.
      • It is recommended that engineers working on solid-fuel appliances are registered with the Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (HETAS).
      • It is recommended that engineers working on oil appliances are registered with the Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC).
    • Have chimneys swept at least once a year and preferably twice a year if burning coal or wood. It is recommended that a qualified sweep is used, such as a member of the National Association of Chimney Sweeps, the Guild of Master Sweeps, or the Association of Professional and Independent Chimney sweeps.
    • Do not used unflued appliances, that are designed for outdoor use, indoors (such as paraffin heaters, camping stoves, barbecues, or similar devices).
    • Do not burn charcoal indoors to cook or heat the home. Charcoal always produces carbon monoxide when burnt.
  • Advise people that it is the legal duty of a landlord to have any gas appliances provided checked annually and to provide a copy of the safety check record to their tenants.
  • The Department of Health leaflet Carbon monoxide. Are you at risk? (pdf) may be a useful resource for patients.

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