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Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Risk Every Home Should Know
It has no colour, no smell and no taste — but carbon monoxide is entirely preventable. Here is how to keep your household safe.
Omar Haddad
Service Manager20 Jun 2026Updated: 20 Jun 20264 min read
Key takeaways
Reading time — 4 min
Expert reviewed — Practical guidance from our heating team
Carbon monoxide is often called the silent killer because you cannot see, smell or taste it. The good news is that it is almost entirely preventable with a working alarm and a serviced, well-maintained boiler.
Warning signs to watch for
- A lazy yellow or orange flame instead of a crisp blue one.
- Sooty or brown-black marks around the boiler or fire.
- Excess condensation on the windows of the room with the appliance.
- Headaches, dizziness or nausea that ease when you leave the house.
How to protect your home
- Fit an audible CO alarm near every fuel-burning appliance.
- Service gas appliances annually with a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Keep vents and flues clear so fumes can escape safely.
- Never ignore an alarm — ventilate, leave the property and call for help.