Protection against carbon monoxide

No question: Cuddling up cosily in the evening in front of a fire, accompanied by the family, a good book or your faithful canine friend – the very definition of comfort. A hot and crackling fire is never more appealing than in autumn and winter, when the mercury starts falling.

Your fireplace may be a death trap

But beware - even if you check it regularly: Your fireplace may become a death trap. If the combustion process is hindered (due to insufficient oxygen), the carbon monoxide formed as a result enters the room. Admittedly, the total number of deaths each year in Germany is relatively low at around ten. Nevertheless: In 2013, chimney sweeps revealed that nationwide, around 130,000 gas fire installations in private households recorded exhaust emissions in the highly harmful range (exceeding 1,000 ppm/parts per million). In which case, any affected devices have to be promptly repaired. But additional protection, for example, offered via a CO warning device, is also worth considering.

Sources of danger

Carbon monoxide, known as CO for short, is a toxic gas, which cannot be seen, tasted or smelt. It results, among other things, from incomplete combustion processes of fossil fuels. 

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Maintenance

Have your chimneys, fireplaces and all other relevant devices such as heating systems checked by a specialist regularly. 

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Symptoms

Based on the non-specific symptoms, it is generally difficult to detect whether carbon monoxide poisoning has taken place. 

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