Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless toxic flammable gas formed by incomplete combustion of carbon.

Due to this gas being odourless and tasteless it is particularly harmful at excessive levels and prolonged exposure to humans and needs to be detected using CO gas detectors. We have gathered some useful information regarding CO for your reference, be CO aware!

10 vital facts:

- CO is less dense than air

- 50% of CO incidents happen in homes

- CO is known as the ‘silent killer’ because it has no taste, no smell and you can’t see it

- The symptoms of CO poisoning are; headaches, dizziness, irritability, confusion/memory loss, disorientation, nausea and vomiting, difficulty in coordinating and breathing and chest pain

- CO leaves the body quickly – so taking immediate action such as turning off appliances, opening windows and leaving the area in the case of a suspected leak could save your life

- CO is the most common type of indoor air poisoning in countries where they still rely on fires to heat homes and cook food

- Every year there are around 25 deaths from accidental CO poisoning

- CO can be produced in any fuel-burning appliance that is not properly maintained (e.g. cookers, heaters, gas tumble dryers, hot-water heaters and fireplaces)

- Survivors of CO poisoning can be left with chronic after-effects such as brain damage for the rest of their lives

- CO is the cause of death for 90% of fire victims

Here at Point Safety we supply a range of single gas monitors to detect for carbon monoxide, you can search them by clicking here.

Your safety is our priority!