Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: 30 people die a year because of carbon monoxide poisoning associated with faulty gas appliances. Carbon monoxide occurs when gas appliances are not working correctly, normally when either there is inadequate ventilation in the room or the flue / chimney is not working properly.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Dr. Rob: Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, weakness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting and dizziness - symptoms that are very similar to those cause by common infections such as flu and food poisoning. When severe, symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Dr. Rob: How quickly somebody suffers life threatening symptoms depends on the level of exposure to carbon monoxide, and people can be affected very quickly. Long-term exposure to low level of carbon monoxide can also be dangerous and that can result in lung damage, heart damage and brain damage.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: Carbon monoxide is created where the gas used by the appliance is not burnt correctly. Gas is not burnt correctly normally because of inadequate ventilation or problems with the chimney/flue.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: Gas escapes usually occur when a gas appliance hasn’t been installed properly. There is a smell added to natural gas so that it is easily identifiable. If you suspect there is a gas escape, turn off your appliances and report the problem to the emergency gas helpline immediately (you can find the number in the yellow pages) Major gas escapes can result in explosions and fires.

This is of course a different issue to carbon monoxide poisoning but another good reason to get your appliances checked on an annual basis.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: Any fossil fuels generate carbon monoxide if they're not working properly. As well as gas, coal and oil it also applies to wood burning appliances. The same issues with ventilation and chimneys/flues apply to these fuels.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: If you mean carbon monoxide, this is something you can't smell, taste or see and that is why it is called the silent killer.

If you mean a gas escape, there is a smell added to natural gas, so you should be able to notice it.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: There are carbon monoxide detectors that you can install yourself, which are easily obtainable at a range of DIY stores. We recommend them only as a second line of defence - it is no substitute for having your appliances checked annually by a CORGI registered installer.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: Landlords have no responsibility to provide a carbon monoxide detector. CORGI does not recommend the card type because they are not always reliable and because there is no alarm, so they need to be checked frequently to establish if there is a problem. CORGI recommends the audible British Standard Approved carbon monoxide detectors.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: If your carbon monoxide detector is beeping, you should get your gas oven checked as a matter of urgency by a CORGI registered installer and don't use it until it has been checked.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: We recommend that all gas appliances are checked annually by a CORGI registered installer. Our colleagues in the coal and oil industries would similarly recommend an annual check.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: If you need to get your gas appliances serviced you must use a CORGI registered installer. If you are in rented accommodation, the landlord has responsibility to ensure an annual gas safety check is carried out. In certain circumstances gas suppliers will offer a free safety check and you need to contact your gas supplier to see if this applies to you.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: Your grandmother should obtain quotes from different registered installers. However, she should ensure that her gas appliances are regularly safety checked by a CORGI registered installer to ensure her safety. You can't put a price on life.

We issue an identity card to every CORGI installer and we recommend that you do not let anybody into your home without checking the card. If you want to check that validity of the card with CORGI you can do so by phoning us 0870 401 2606.

Dr Rob: Many older people are wary of letting people they don't know into their homes, so it may be helpful to your grandmother if you or another member of your family or one of her friends can be there during the service.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: We are the gas safety watchdog and only regulate safety, so we have no control over the costs that installers charge. We do recommend that people shop around for prices and you can get details of local CORGI registered installers either by phoning CORGI on 0870 401 2606 or through our website www.corgi-group.com/safety.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Brian: You should only let someone do gas work if they are CORGI registered. It is a legal requirement for any business working on gas to be registered with CORGI, so if he isn't registered he is breaking the law. You should ask to see his CORGI ID card when he comes to your home and ring CORGI to double-check his registration.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Dr. Rob: In addition to headaches, common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, tiredness, nausea and vomiting. Those with carbon monoxide poisoning often find that these symptoms are worse when near to the faulty gas appliance. For example if your daughter doesn't suffer symptoms when she is outside but does suffer them when indoors and the gas heater is on it is possible that her headaches are being caused by carbon monoxide. It is important for her to seek medical advice about her headaches and to have her gas heater safety checked by a CORGI registered installer.

Dr Rob Hicks and Brian Adams said:

Dr. Rob: When inhaled carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the blood leaving the body starved of the oxygen it needs to function properly. This can result in dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and tiredness, chest pains, shortness of breath and loss of consciousness. Tragically each year in the UK around 30 people die of carbon monoxide poisoning. Small children and the elderly are more vulnerable to the effects of carbon monoxide. This is because they are often at home and therefore exposed to greater amounts of carbon monoxide and because they are more susceptible to the effects.