Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no taste or smell. It can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and can even lead to death if exposed to high levels.

It’s recommended that all homes have a carbon monoxide alarm, especially ones that have open fireplaces.

So can an electric fireplace give off carbon monoxide?

No, an electric fireplace has no real flame and so cannot produce carbon monoxide as a byproduct.

Carbon monoxide can only be produced through a combustion process with a real flame and fuel. carbon monoxide is only produced by burning fuels that contain carbon, such as wood, natural gas and coal.

You can therefore be at risk from carbon monoxide when using a wood burning or gas fireplace, but not from using an electric fireplace. Only when the fire has been starved of oxygen can Carbon Monoxide be produced. Burning wood or gas with plenty of air supply will create carbon dioxide as a byproduct, and not carbon monoxide.