Testing your carbon monoxide alarm
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that cannot be seen, smelt or tasted. Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause serious illness and, in severe cases, can be fatal.
How to test your carbon monoxide alarm
To help keep your home safe, you should test your carbon monoxide alarm every week, if it is safe to do so.
- Press and hold the test button on the alarm.
- The alarm should sound a loud warning signal.
Do not ignore a carbon monoxide alarm if makes a continuous sounds.
Reporting a problem
Report an issue immediately if your carbon monoxide alarm is not working, or you believe a gas appliance may be producing carbon monoxide. In this instance, turn off your gas supply if it’s safe to do so.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
The signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are not always obvious and can be mistaken for other illnesses such as flu or food poisoning. Some people may also have existing health conditions with similar symptoms.
Symptoms may include:
- headaches
- nausea
- dizziness
- tiredness
- confusion
- stomach pain
- shortness of breath
More serious symptoms can include:
- impaired mental awareness
- loss of physical coordination
- severe tiredness and confusion
- chest pain
- muscle spasms
- loss of consciousness
If you or anyone in your household experiences these symptoms and you suspect carbon monoxide may be present, seek medical advice immediately.
Common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide can be produced by:
- faulty gas appliances such as gas cookers
- broken heating systems
- blocked flues or chimneys
- heavy smoking in enclosed, poorly ventilated rooms
We recommend servicing your gas cooker annually. Find a registered gas engineer on the Gas Safe Register website.
Find out more about reducing the risk of gas hazards.