Is Carbon Monoxide making you sick?

If Carbon Monoxide (CO) is building up inside your home it can make you feel sick or even kill you. Carbon Monoxide is given off whenever anything burns and can also get into your home if your gas heater is in need of servicing or has a malfunction and is in need of repair.

Some of the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning are very similar to cold/flu symptoms which means, often, someone may mistake CO poisoning as simply having a cold or the flu, especially in winter when these types of virus are commonplace and people are using their gas heaters to heat their homes. These symptoms are also similar to COVID-19 symptoms which makes identifying CO poisoning even trickier.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, they could be caused by Carbon Monoxide leaking from your heater.

  • Dizziness
  • Feeling sick or nauseous
  • Headaches
  • Other family members or pets getting sick at the same time.
  • Feeling unwell only when you are at home.

Act quickly if you think your heater could be making people sick. If you suspect you are suffering from Carbon Monoxide poisoning, take the following actions:

  • Turn off all gas appliances straight away, open windows and doors to let fresh air into your home.
  • Leave your home and get into the fresh air.
  • Call Nurse-on-Call, see your doctor or, in an emergency, dial 000.
  • Do not use your gas heater until you have had it checked by a qualified gasfitter.

The dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning made the ABC news on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 when a large group of adults and children were admitted to hospital with Carbon Monoxide poisoning in Tasmania, after a member of the household used an open coal fire inside their home. Read the story here.