What is CO?
Carbon Monoxide (or CO) is a poisonous gas. It is released when fuels such as gas, wood, oil, coal and heating oil are burnt and there’s not enough oxygen. CO is a gas that you can’t smell, taste or see. That is why it can be created in your house, like a silent killer, when you use a water heating device (boiler, heater) or heating device. Electrical water heating devices and electrical heaters are the only devices that cannot produce CO!

Why is CO dangerous?
If you inhale CO, you will get health problems, such as:

• Headache 
• Nausea
• Concentration problems
• Dizziness
• Weak muscles
• Agitation
• Fatigue

When you inhale large quantities of CO, you will quickly lose consciousness. You can fall into a coma and even die!

What to do if people have fallen ill?

• Open doors and windows.
• Switch off the device.
• Take the victim to a different room.
• If the victim is still conscious, call your family doctor.
• If the victim is unconscious, call an ambulance by dialling 112.

What may be warning signals?
Be extra careful in the following circumstances:

• Soot is deposited on or around the water heater or heating device
• Pets acting strangely
• Yellow flames in the heater
• Unusually high humidity and dampness in the house
• Several people in the house feel unwell at the same time
• If you always suffer from the problems mentioned above if you carry out a certain activity (f.ex. when taking a shower or bath or washing the dishes)
• If those problems subside when you go out or get fresh air.
  

How can I make sure that there is no CO in my house?

• Always make sure there is enough fresh air in the room with the water heater or heating device
• Make sure the gases are removed properly. The pipes should be properly connected. The chimney must be clean and protrude sufficiently above the edge of the roof. A good chimney does not have cracks or tears and is as straight as possible.
• Make sure you have a safe, well-functioning water heating device or heater, have the device checked regularly and repaired by a skilled expert.
• When using the device for the first time, let it heat up sufficiently to dry out the chimney and get better suction.
• Watch out when there is fog or no wind! The risk of creating CO is bigger, extra air supply is needed! Check the weather forecasts.
  

Extra hints

• Only use a 5 litre boiler for heating up the water of a washing basin. For a shower, you need at least a 10 litre boiler and for a bath, at least a 13 litre boiler.
• If you use an additional heating device (heating oil stove, such as Zibro Kamin), use it for no more than 1 hour, ventilate well and NEVER use it while you sleep.
• Do not put the heater on the lowest position: this may lead to poor combustion.
• Do not use a heater that is too large for a small space.
• Have your chimney swept once a year, particularly if you use wood, heating oil or coal for heating.

If you suspect there are problems with the living quality or safety (including risk of CO intoxication) in your house, you can contact the Housing department (Dienst Huisvesting). The Department will inspect your house in accordance to the Flemish Housing Code or Chamber Decree.

Inspection - Dienst Huisvesting - 09 266 76 08
Information CO - Health Department - 09 235 22 50

For more information, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/features/copoisoning/  

Authorized:

Tom Balthazar
Schepen van Milieu, Stadsontwikkeling en Wonen
Stadhuis Botermarkt 1
9000 Gent
Tel.: 09 266 50 30
Fax :09 266 50 49
E-mail: schepen.balthazar@gent.be