The dangers of gas and carbon monoxide

The dangers of gas and carbon monoxide


Recently in NSW a home was razed to the ground due to a leaky gas heater. Property owners must ensure that gas appliances and cylinders are checked on a regular basis to prevent accidents like this from happening.

Gas can be a silent killer as it has no taste or colour and can cause death in minutes so It’s important to have adequate ventilation in a home and air monitored with a cO Monitor.

What is carbon monoxide (cO) and how is it produced?

Carbon monoxide (cO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including coal, wood, charcoal, oil, kerosene, propane, and natural gas. Products and equipment powered by internal combustion engines such as portable generators, cars, lawn mowers, and power washers also produce cO.

Symptoms of cO poisoning

Because cO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not realise that they and their families are being exposed. The initial symptoms of low to moderate cO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include:

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness