Why storms in France have indirectly caused carbon monoxide poisoning

At least one death and several injuries in south-west France have been linked to carbon monoxide poisoning after the passage of Storm Nils resulted in the use of faulty appliances during prolonged power outages. 

In Landes a 56 year-old man died from carbon monoxide poisoning from an electricity generator in his basement.

He used the generator during the storm while his property faced a power outage from the mains grid. His wife was also hospitalised with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Elsewhere in the department, a family of four in Habas were also hospitalised for the same reason after using a generator in their home following a prolonged power cut. 

Around 15 interventions were made by pompiers due to carbon monoxide poisoning in the Landes alone during and immediately after Storm Nils.

Also in the south but unrelated to the storm, a woman, 59, was found dead at her flat in Bey (Ain), after her daughter was concerned that she did not reply to her messages. 

The woman lived in social housing and had seen her boiler replaced only a few hours prior to the death, with an investigation into the influence of the new boiler on her death taking place.

The incidents have led authorities to issue warnings and reminders over the deadly gas.

Carbon monoxide warnings

Carbon monoxide is an invisible and odourless gas that is responsible for around 100 deaths and thousands of hospitalisations in France each year.

Symptoms include: headaches, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness, and various neurological or heart issues.

The gas is formed in homes when fossil fuels are burned without an adequate oxygen supply.

Alongside generators, it is often caused by chimneys, heaters, and appliances that burn fossil fuels such as petrol, propane, gas, wood, and coal.

Following Storm Nils, authorities issued reminders that appliances that can potentially cause carbon monoxide should not be used in enclosed spaces, but instead in outside areas or buildings well away from the windows and doors of the main home. 

The gas often impacts victims in their sleep, where they face prolonged exposure. 

Portable heaters designed for indoor use in a main home should not be switched on for more than two hours at a time. 

Are detectors mandatory?

Despite the danger of the gas however, carbon monoxide alarms are not mandatory in properties, in either private units or rental buildings.

A bill to make the devices mandatory was brought forward by centrist MP Karl Olive in October 2024, but was eventually retracted. 

This is in contrast to smoke detectors, which are a legal requirement in all properties. 

Although not mandatory, it is heavily recommended to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, particularly in bedrooms and kitchens. 

They are easy to buy, either in a hardware store or online, and can be installed without any professional help.

They should be placed around 1.5m from the floor, either on the wall or the ceiling – more information on installing detectors is found in our article here. 

Other tips to reduce the risk of poisoning include having your heating, hot water, and where applicable chimneys checked at least once per year by a professional, airing your home daily, and keeping ventilation points clear/regularly ventilating your property.