Carbon Monoxide cannot be smelt, seen or tasted. Many people do not understand the true danger of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning until it’s too late. Exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to death within 20 minutes.

The effects of carbon monoxide in parts per million are listed below:

• 35 ppm (0.0035%) Headache and dizziness within six to eight hours of constant exposure
• 100 ppm (0.01%) Slight headache in two to three hours
• 200 ppm (0.02%) Slight headache within two to three hours
• 400 ppm (0.04%) Frontal headache within one to two hours
• 800 ppm (0.08%) Dizziness, nausea, and convulsions within 45 minutes. Insensible within two hours.
• 1,600 ppm (0.16%) Headache, dizziness, and nausea within 20 minutes. Death in less than two hours.
• 3,200 ppm (0.32%) Headache, dizziness and nausea in five to ten minutes. Death within 30 minutes.
• 6,400 ppm (0.64%) Headache and dizziness in one to two minutes. Death in less than 20 minutes.

In addition, a recent report concludes that carbon monoxide exposure can lead to significant loss of lifespan after exposure due to damage to the heart muscle.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning normally happens when fumes leak from a faulty boiler, if you are in the vicinity of the leak you would initially get a slight headache building up to a painful frontal headache, after a further period of exposure you could expect to suffer dizziness, nausea and convulsions, finally passing out and ultimatley death.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning can be prevented by following these five simple steps:

1. Check the colour of your gas flame, a blue flame indicates there is no problem (but this is by no means certain), an orange flame means there is a problem.
2. If you start to suffer from unexplained illnesses, muscle pains, upset stomach, fatigue, headaches, lethargy, dizzy spells, it could be down to Carbon Monoxide, visit your Doctor.
3. Check to ensure the flue hasn’t become blocked, bushes and plants growing up walls or nesting birds can cause blockages.
4. Ensure your property is fitted with a Carbon Monoxide Detector.
5. Have your gas appliances tested by a CORGI registered engineer on an annual basis.

First aid for carbon monoxide poisoning is to immediately remove the victim from the exposure without endangering oneself, call for help, and begin CPR if needed. The main medical treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning is breathing 100% oxygen by a tight fitting oxygen mask.

In the event that you or someone around you suspect Carbon Monoxide poisoning you should seek medical assistance straight away. If possible move the affected person to fresh air or a well ventilated room, if you have access to oxygen then this should be administered. If the person has stopped breathing, perform artificial respiration (if you can) until medical help arrives. If you, or someone you know has been affected by Carbon Monoxide you may be able to claim compensation.

If you would like to speak to one of our expert Solicitors for free legal advice, call us now on Freephone: 0800 316 4434.

We help thousands of injured people throughout the UK make personal injury compensation claims, including compensation claims for Carbon Monoxide poisoning, every year. Our service is totally risk and cost free, there are no catches, no fees, no deductions and no middlemen, win or lose you will not be asked to pay a penny. See No Win, No Fee for more information -

With the holiday season well and truely underway many people will be heading off for a well earned break either here in the UK or abroad.

It is important to be prepared on holiday and not to expose yourself or your family to the dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

In the UK the gas safety watchdog, CORGI, is responsible for highlighting the dangers of Carbon Monoxide both in the home as well as other accommodation such as holiday lets, caravans, B&B’s, apartments and hotels both here and abroad.

CORGI offer the following advice about the dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Holidays Abroad

For UK residents escaping the rain by holidaying abroad this year, before you book a holiday, make sure your travel company are members of The Association of British Travel Agents, who should be doing local inspections of accomodation to ensure it is up to standard.

Holidaying in the UK

Landlords who own different types of holiday accommodation, and hotel establishments here in the UK must have their appliances checked every year and should have a safety certificate displayed to prove this.

Simple Steps to CO Safety

To further ensure the safety of you and your family during your stay in holiday accommodation both in the UK and abroad, CORGI recommends the following basic advice:

Be Alert

Just because there isn’t a gas appliance in your accommodation, still look out for signs as Carbon Monoxide can seep through from other rooms. Remember, it isn’t just gas appliances that cause Carbon Monoxide poisoning – oil, wood and coal appliances do too

Know the symptoms

If you feel unwell – flu symptoms, headache, tiredness, whilst you are in your accommodation, but feel better when you are outdoors, speak to the hotel or tour operator. Tell them what you think it could be, and seek medical advice

Don’t misuse gas appliances

Don’t dry clothes on a boiler or water heater for example

Don’t block the ventilation – it is there for a reason

Purchase an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm

When on holiday place the Carbon Monoxide alarm near an appliance or in your bedroom

Don’t forget to use the alarm when you get home as well.

If you or someone you know has been affected by Carbon Monoxide Poisoning you should take advice from a specialist Solicitor about making a compensation claim against whoever is responsible for maintaining the property.

At Pinto Potts Solicitors we have expert Solicitors who have dealt with numerous Carbon Monoxide Poisoning compensation claims for people all over the UK, please get in touch if you would like some free, no obligation legal advce.