The Silent Killer: Your Essential Guide to Carbon Monoxide Safety This Winter

As winter starts to set in across East Sussex, more and more of us are turning to our wood burners and solid fuel stoves for that comforting warmth. But let’s not forget the hidden danger that can come with it: carbon monoxide (CO). It’s known as the ‘silent killer’ for good reason – completely invisible, with no smell or taste, so you won’t know it’s there without proper detection.

CO builds up when fuels like wood, coal or pellets don’t burn fully, often due to blocked vents, poor airflow or appliance issues. Sadly, in the UK, it leads to around 40 deaths and thousands of hospital admissions each year, and solid fuel setups are a frequent source. That’s why regular chimney maintenance is so vital, but pairing it with a good CO alarm gives you that crucial early warning if levels start to rise.

Under current UK rules, CO alarms are a must in any room with a fixed combustion appliance (think wood stoves or open fires, but not gas cookers) for rented homes, whether private or social. Homeowners, take note too – it’s strongly advised for everyone, and in Wales, it’s required wherever there’s a fuel-burning device. Here at Chimneasy, we always remind folks to make it a habit: test the alarm once a month, swap out batteries every year, and replace the whole unit after 7-10 years to keep it reliable.

Getting the placement spot-on is just as important – a misplaced alarm might not pick up on rising CO levels in time. Following UK building regs and standards like BS EN 50292, here’s the best way to set it up for solid fuel appliances:

• Pop it in the same room as your appliance, like the lounge with your wood burner.
• Keep it 1-3 metres away horizontally from the stove – close enough to detect but not so near that heat or drafts interfere.
• Go for ceiling mounting if possible, at least 300mm from walls or lights, and avoid directly overhead to dodge false triggers from warmth. Wall-mounted? Position it about 15cm from the ceiling for optimal detection.
• For extra peace of mind, add one on each floor with appliances, and maybe near bedrooms to catch any overnight issues.

And remember, while a CO alarm is brilliant, it’s no replacement for a professional sweep to ensure everything’s clear and safe. At Chimneasy, we always do a carbon monoxide alarm and placement check as part of our sweeping process, so you can rest easy knowing we’ve got it covered.

Get in touch with Chimneasy for a chimney sweep in East Sussex

For professional thorough chimney sweeping across Heathfield, Broad Oak, Burwash, Etchingham, Hurst Green, Robertsbridge, Flimwell, Horam, Herstmonceux, Hadlow Down, Hailsham, Buxted, Uckfield, Mayfield and all surrounding areas, contact Ben at Chimneasy today.

Call us on 01435 408100  

WhatsApp us on 07407697169

Email us at info@chimneasy.com