WARNING: Your central heating boiler could KILL you in your sleep if you see these signs

Your central heating boiler could kill you in your sleep if you ignore these vital signs – and under 16s and over 64s are more likely to die thanks to their boiler than any other age group.

Officially, around 40 people die, and around 300 injured, from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning each year in England and Wales.

However, the Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety Society claim hundreds of carbon monoxide poisonings per year are being classified as “unexplained”.

Ignoring the threat could prove fatal – however, there are some clear signs that point to the threat of poisoning, and acting on them could save your life.

Carbon monoxide poisoning causes a lack of oxygen to the body, slowly causing cells and parts of the body to die – and faulty central heating boilers pose the biggest risk.

Signs your central heating boiler is dangerous

Steve Watson, Service and Maintenance Manager with respected firm STL Heating and Energy, is an expert in good boiler management and safety.

Combi boiler pilot light frequently blows out changes from blue to yellow

Steve said: “An early warning sign might be that the pilot light is always blowing out, because the gas isn’t fully burning. What’s more concerning, however, is a pilot light that goes from being a bright blue or bluish-green with a small yellow spot at the tip, to being yellow with a weak-looking flame. That indicates that there’s not enough oxygen to burn the fuel and suggests the presence of carbon monoxide.”

Black stains on or near your boiler

“If you see black stains near your boiler, perhaps on the ceiling above, then there could potentially be a leak coming from your flue. Leaking boiler emissions can include deadly carbon monoxide. Get it assessed immediately.”

A faint, strange smell

“Carbon monoxide is odourless. But if it’s being emitted because your boiler isn’t burning properly, you’ll often find that your boiler gives off a faint smell.”

Heavy condensation in the room where the boiler is installed 

“It’s not carbon monoxide that causes the condensation, but misting up of the windows could be a signal that your boiler isn’t being vented properly, as water is one of the by-products of combustion. 

“If exhaust gases aren’t leaving your house, they could be being released indoors. And that includes the potential for carbon monoxide to be unleashed.”

If you suspect any of these signs in your house, Steve said: “Get a Gas Safe engineer into your property to inspect the appliance and make sure your carbon monoxide alarms are functioning.”

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning 

Symptoms of low level poisoning include headaches, dizziness, tiredness, breathlessness and nausea – similar to a virus or food poisoning but with no rise in body temperature.

Stephanie, who’s been lobbying for prime-time TV warnings about the dangers of CO since 1995, said: “We estimate that around 4 million people are potentially being exposed to low level carbon monoxide poisoning in England and Wales. 

“There are around 3,500 people aged between 16 and 64 who die in the UK from ‘unexplained causes’ – and these people are not tested for CO poisoning. Why on earth not? 

“And that data also excludes the people most likely to die from CO, which is those aged under 16 and over 64. They are probably more likely to die from CO simply because they spend more time at home.”

Worried your boiler might break down this winter? Houses in this part of the country are most likely to be hit. 

You can save up to £340 this year by making sure your boiler is an effective as possible.