Carbon monoxide is a gas that is produced whenever gas, oil, wood or charcoal is burned.
It is invisible to the eye and you cannot smell it, but in high doses it can kill a person in a matter of minutes.
Hundreds of people die each year from faulty appliances in their home, almost all of which could have been prevented if a few simple steps were taken.
Taking Protective Steps

• Make sure any work you have carried out on gas appliances is carried out by a CORGI registered engineer.
  
• It is advised that you have your appliances serviced regularly by a registered engineer.
  Preferably this should be done on a yearly basis.
  
• Make sure that there is a good flow of air in any room that has a gas appliance in.
  If the room has a chimney, check that the flu is not blocked.
  
• It is good practice to have your chimney cleaned once a year to ensure good flow of air throughout your home.
  
• Make sure there is a working carbon monoxide alarm in every room that has a gas appliance in.
  
• Check the batteries regularly to ensure that your alarm is in good working order.
  

Thing to Avoid

• Never leave your car engine running whilst in your garage.
  
• Never burn charcoal indoors
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
  
• Never sleep in a room that is being heated by an unvented gas heater.
  
• Never ignore the symptoms of CO poisoning.
  

Carbon Monoxide Alarms Alarms should never be used as a substitute for proper appliance maintenance and service, but are an excellent backup and should always be included as part of your protective arsenal.
There are a number of alarms on the market and a lot of choice.
So, what are the most effective?