Mother dies from carbon monoxide leak in France: Safety laws explained
Carbon monoxide poisoning kills around 100 and affects 3,000 people every year in France
Carbon monoxide monitors are not mandatory in France but are highly recommended
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A mother in Paris has become the latest person in France to die from carbon monoxide poisoning, during the night of November 10, as the risk increases with dropping temperatures over the winter period.
The death came just two days before another mother and her children - this time in Haute-Saône - were taken to hospital overnight on November 12, and three days before three people were hospitalised with severe poisoning in Pas-de-Calais (November 13-14), reported Actu.fr.
In fact, more than 3,000 people suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning in France every year, with around 100 deaths.
Carbon monoxide is particularly deadly, because it cannot be detected without a monitor. It is invisible and odourless, and typically emitted from malfunctioning, old or poorly-maintained household appliances.
Read also: Cat raises alarm of toxic carbon monoxide at French mountain refuge
Carbon monoxide sources
Sources of carbon monoxide can include a boiler, chimney, water heater, space heater, generators, and appliances using fuels such as wood, coal, petrol, propane or butane.
The gas forms when fossil fuels burn without enough oxygen and the most important source of exposure to the gas for households arises from cooking or other fuel burning appliances which are faulty, poorly installed or used inadequately (such as, for example, used with inadequate ventilation).
Symptoms of poisoning
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
If levels of the gas rise quickly overnight, it can kill people quickly as they sleep.
If you suspect carbon monoxide, turn off any appliances if possible, aerate the room, and evacuate the premises immediately. Once outside, call emergency services or your closest anti-poison centre and do not re-enter the premises until a professional advises it is safe to do so.
The emergency numbers in France are 15, 18 or 112 (114 for people who are hard-of-hearing). You can call an anti-poison centre on the emergency line (24 hours a day) on 01 45 42 59 59.
Are carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in France?
Unlike smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms are currently not mandatory in rental homes in France (in contrast to England, Wales, and Ireland), but are still highly recommended in all homes, especially in bedrooms and kitchens.
They should be installed at least 1.5 metres off the floor, either on a wall or ceiling.
Read also: How to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning in French home
Read also: Sweeping rules and maintenance tips for home chimneys in France
Carbon monoxide alarms are commonly available fairly cheaply from hardware retailers.
They can be used and maintained in the same way as an at-home smoke alarm, in that they need their batteries to be changed regularly, and need to be tested at regular intervals.
How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Following these tips can help prevent carbon monoxide in the first place, advises Actu.fr, in partnership with Destination Santé:
Get your heating and hot water systems, as well as your chimney flues, checked by a professional at least once a year, and always before use in winter
Air your home out for at least 10 minutes a day, even if the outside temperature is low
Keep ventilation systems in good working order
Take care not to obstruct air inlets and outlets in the home
Follow instructions for in-home appliances carefully. For example, never use any fuel other than the one specified, never leave a space heater on continuously, nor cover it.
Never use barbecues or generators indoors, in an enclosed space or near openings (doors, windows, air vents)
A reminder of this information is also available here in this illustrated pamphlet (in French) from the ministère de la Santé et de la Prévention, including emergency numbers.
