Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning in the home

The best course of action is to take responsibility yourself for keeping your home free of carbon monoxide. This involves three things: ensuring the correct functioning of all combustion devices such as boilers, gas ovens and hobs, fires and stoves; making sure that your home has adequate ventilation at all times; and fitting carbon monoxide detectors.

Ventilation is one of the key factors, but many homes are now more insulated, draught-proofed and sealed.

Most modern gas boilers are fitted with either balanced flues or fan-assisted flues, both of which take combustion air from outside the building and so are not affected buy the house draught-proofing.