What signs to look for?


CO may be present if there are any of the following danger signs:

  • Gas flames that normally burn blue, will burn orange or yellow instead
  • The safety device (pilot light) on gas appliances keeps going out
  • Soot stains appear on or above appliances
  • Coal or wood fire is difficult to light
  • The chimney or flue is blocked – causing smoke in the room (be aware of masonry debris in the grate or below the appliance)

 

Or a person develops the following unexplained symptoms:

  • Tiredness
  • Drowsiness
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Chest pains
  • Nausea

 

Did you know?

50 % of people don’t know the warning signs of CO poisoning, however 1 in 10 people know someone who has suffered from CO poisoning.

Possible effects on adults     % Saturation of CO in the blood stream  
Slight headache in 2 to 3 hours
 13
Mild headache, dizziness, nausea and tiredness after 2 to 3 hours
 20 - 30
Frontal headache and nausea after 1 to 2 hours; risk to life if over 3 hours exposure
 36
Severe headaches, dizziness, convulsions within 45 minutes; unconsciousness and death possible after 2 to 3 hours
 50
Headaches, dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes; collapse, unconsciousness and death possible within 1 to 2 hours
 68
Headache, dizziness and nausea within 5 to 10 minutes; possible death after 15 minutes
 70 - 74
Severe symptoms within 1 to 2 minutes; death within 15 minutes
 80
Immediate symptoms; death within 1 to 3 minutes 85 - 90