Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen to any of us. Take the right steps to reduce the risk.

Carbon monoxide

thematic dossier

Colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating, carbon monoxide (CO) is an imperceptible toxic gas. It is the cause of many cases of poisoning during the winter months.

As temperatures drop, the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning increases. Every year, this toxic gas is responsible for about 100 deaths in France.
Invisible, odorless, and non-irritating, carbon monoxide is undetectable. However, simple precautions can help reduce the risk.

Appliances that use fuels (natural gas, wood, coal, fuel oil, butane, propane, gasoline, or kerosene, etc.) to produce heat or light can all produce carbon monoxide (CO) if they are not operating under ideal conditions.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can affect any of us. To minimize the risks, take the right precautions…:

  • Before winter, have your heating and hot water systems, as well as your chimney flues (mechanical sweeping), systematically inspected and maintained by a qualified professional at your primary and secondary residences, if applicable;

  • Every day, even when it’s cold, ventilate your home for at least 10 minutes;

  • Keep your ventilation systems in good working order and never block air inlets or outlets;

  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using combustion appliances. Never run space heaters continuously; generators must be placed outside buildings; never use appliances not intended for heating—such as stoves, braziers, or barbecues—for heating purposes.

At the community level: It is important to remind people to be vigilant regarding the use of space heaters, generators, or gas-fired radiant panels during gatherings (family gatherings, cultural or religious events, etc.).

Act quickly: ventilate the area and call emergency services

The first symptoms—headaches, fatigue, nausea—appear more or less quickly and can affect several people in the household. Severe
poisoning can lead to coma and death, sometimes within minutes. You must therefore act very quickly: if you suspect poisoning, ventilate the area immediately, turn off combustion appliances if possible, evacuate the premises, and call emergency services by dialing 15, 18, or 112 (and 114 for the hearing impaired).
Treatment for those affected must begin immediately, as soon as symptoms appear, and may require hospitalization.

Each year, approximately 1,300 accidental CO poisoning incidents involving nearly 3,000 people are reported to health authorities.

A brochure to inform about protective measures The
brochure “The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide: What You Need to Know” explains the dangers of this gas, the appliances and systems that can emit CO, and provides helpful tips to prevent poisoning. It is distributed to city halls, maternal and child health services (PMI), and medical testing laboratories. There is also a video and a poster to raise awareness about these risks.

Learn more

Press Contacts

DGS
presse-dgs@sante.gouv.fr Information and
Communications Division: 01 40 56 84 00

DGSCGC
michael.bernier@interieur.gouv.fr
Lieutenant Colonel Michaël Bernier, Head of Communications and Spokesperson: 06 62 99 14 32

Santé publique France
presse@santepubliquefrance.fr
Vanessa Lemoine: 01 55 12 53 36
Stéphanie Champion: 01 41 79 67 48
Cynthia Bessarion: 01 71 80 15 66

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