CORGI Urges people to take their audible carbon monoxide alarm when staying in rented static caravans.
CORGI, the UK’s gas safety watchdog is urging people to be vigilant to the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning when staying in static caravans this summer, and is calling for all holiday makers to take an audible carbon monoxide alarm away with them.
Known as the ‘silent killer’, carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous substance that you cannot see, smell or taste. Carbon monoxide is potentially fatal, and even low levels of the poison can leave you with lasting damage to your health. It is produced when a carbon-based fuel (gas, wood, oil or coal) is burnt without an adequate oxygen supply, such as boilers and cookers, which means taking an audible carbon monoxide alarm when staying in a caravan, should be high on your list of important things to pack.
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the ‘flu’, and can include: headaches, dizziness, tiredness, nausea, stomach and chest pains. If you feel ill whilst using an appliance, but feel better once you are in fresh air, you could be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
This summer, CORGI is launching a campaign to make sure we are all aware of the dangers we can face while on holiday. Holidays are meant to be about getting away from the daily stresses of life and relaxing, but the caravan you’re staying in could have a silent killer waiting for you, something you could be prepared for.
Susan Harris, whose father, and his friend, died of carbon monoxide poisoning when the static caravan they were staying in was consumed by the lethal fumes, said:
“People need to be made more aware that caravans can be just as at risk as houses when it comes to carbon monoxide poisoning. If there had been an audible carbon monoxide alarm fitted in the caravan my father and his friend were staying in, they might have escaped with their lives. “
CORGI’s head of safety promotion Dan Caesar, said:
“Cases like this really high-light how critical it is to ensure the caravan you’re staying in has been regularly checked and serviced and how taking an audible carbon monoxide alarm with you, is equally as important. Each year around 30 people die and many hundreds more are seriously injured from carbon monoxide poisoning. Most of these incidents could be avoided if you follow CORGI’s simple safety steps - these will help to keep you and your family safe”.
CORGI’s tips for staying safe from carbon monoxide poisoning whilst staying in a static caravan are:
- Check what gas safety precautions your tour operators have in place before leaving to go on holiday
- Check if there is an audible carbon monoxide alarm in the accommodation – if there isn’t one ensure that you take one with you
- Ensure that the audible carbon monoxide alarm you take with you is CE approved
You can buy a carbon monoxide alarm from a CORGI registered installer, from a merchant such as B&Q and from CORGI.
For further information on carbon monoxide visit: www.trustcorgi.com or www.becarbonmonoxideaware.com or call CORGI on 0800 915 0480.