DEKRA experts warn of gas poisoning in the home
Carbon Monoxide – The Silent Death
Sep 02, 2026- Even the smallest concentration is deadly
- Caution using charcoal grills, gas boilers, stoves, and pellet stores
- Have systems serviced and install CO alarms
DEKRA’s fire protection experts warn of the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Time and again, serious accidents happen because of defective heating systems, generators, or the indoor use of charcoal grills. Even the smallest concentration of the gas in the air can cause death. As well as exercising caution in connection with the typical hazards, users should install CO alarms to warn if the gas is present in hazardous concentrations.
“Carbon monoxide can be formed in any situation where substances burn incompletely, especially in poorly ventilated rooms where not enough oxygen is present,” explains Lars Inderthal, a fire safety expert at DEKRA. “Typical sources are poorly maintained gas boilers, blocked flues in gas heating systems, and defective stoves and fireplaces.”
It is also extremely dangerous to use charcoal grills, patio heaters, and generators in indoor spaces. Inadequate ventilation in shisha bars can also result in CO poisoning. Likewise, caution is needed when storing pellets because fresh wood pellets especially can release carbon monoxide. DEKRA recommends installing special CO alarms in all these hazardous areas.
Can one smell carbon monoxide?
Many people incorrectly believe that CO gas can be recognized by its odor. “That is a mistake,” emphasizes DEKRA expert Lars Inderthal. “The human senses cannot detect carbon monoxide. It is an odorless and colorless gas that often spreads unnoticed and can even penetrate walls.” The first symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, and nausea, which is why people don’t always think of poisoning. The hazardous respiratory toxin bonds to hemoglobin in the blood, blocking the supply of oxygen to the body’s cells.
In 2024, 382 people died in Germany due to the toxic effect of CO; 1,834 people were hospitalized for treatment, according to the Germany’s Federal Statistical Office. “Many cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are due to human error,” says Lars Inderthal. “It is particularly important to use heating systems with care and have them serviced at regular intervals.”
It is important to note that CO alarms are no replacement for the smoke alarms required by law. An apartment fire is detected far earlier by a smoke alarm than by a CO alarm.
Protection from CO poisoning
How can consumers protect themselves from CO poisoning? Here are a few tips from DEKRA:
- Ensure good ventilation: Wherever coal, wood, gas, oil, petroleum, or alcohol is being burned, it is very important to ensure good ventilation. A constant supply of fresh air is essential and the exhaust air must be removed. This applies as much to private barbecue parties, the use of gas heating systems and coal stoves, and underground garages as to commercial shisha bars, indoor karting centers, and pellet stores.
- Take care in indoor spaces: Gas and charcoal grills, gas-fired mushroom and bar heaters, and similar equipment should never be used in indoor spaces. One lethal error that is made time and again is to place a still glowing charcoal grill inside the house to cool.
- Service heating systems: Carbon monoxide can be formed by gas boilers and gas or oil heating systems if, for example, the flue is blocked and there is a build up of exhaust gas. Such systems must be serviced regularly by specialist technicians.
- Install CO alarms: CO alarms – not to be confused with smoke alarms – emit a warning signal if the CO threshold is exceeded. That means there is a risk to life! It is important to install a CO alarm wherever a substance is being burned. Equally important is testing the alarm’s function every four weeks.
- Tips for alarms: If a CO alarm goes off, there is no time to lose. You should immediately open several doors and windows to ventilate the room fully. If it is unclear why the alarm has been triggered, you should leave the house immediately and call the fire department (112 in Germany, for example).