Did you know that many of our summer essentials can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if used incorrectly? Including Camping Stoves, Camping Heaters, Lanterns, Charcoal Grills and Barbecues.
If you're planning a BBQ this summer, or renting holiday accommodation with heating or gas facilities, including tents and caravans, you could be at risk from CO poisoning.
We recommend you always travel with an audible carbon monoxide detector. It could not only save your life, but the lives of the people you care about.
Holiday Essentials.
A portable CO detector could save your life this summer
Because you can’t see, smell, hear, or taste carbon monoxide, you won’t know it’s there. So whether you’re staying in a holiday home, resort, or camping – always pack an audible portable CO detector.
If you’re on holiday and your CO alarm sounds:
- Open all doors and windows.
- Go outside into the fresh air.
- If you feel unwell or are experiencing symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
- In the UK call the National Gas Emergency number FREE on 0800 111 999* (in Northern Ireland call 0800 002 001*) immediately. It’s available 24/7, all year round. Our experts will tell you what to do while you wait for an engineer to arrive.
- Alert the landlord or holiday representative.
* All calls are recorded and may be monitored.
Great outdoors. Deadly indoors.
A quick BBQ safety checklist
A BBQ can give off CO even after it’s gone out, so always BBQ in a well ventilated area.
Here’s a quick BBQ checklist.
Never
Never bring a BBQ inside your home, tent, awning or any enclosed area.
Remember
Remember BBQs can give off CO even after they've gone out.
Always
Always use your BBQ in an open area with plenty of ventilation, away from tents or sleeping areas.
If you’re using an LPG BBQ*
- REMEMBER to check your equipment is in a good working order and that hoses are securely attached and not damaged.
- ALWAYS be sure to only use and change your canisters in a well ventilated, open space, following manufacturer’s guidelines carefully and turning off the supply properly before doing so.
* Bottled gas.
Hangover, headache, or CO poisoning?
Recognise the signs of CO poisoning
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for other illnesses, like food poisoning, flu, a cold, or even a hangover.
They can include:
Headache
Nausea
Dizziness
Breathlessness
Collapse
Loss of Consciousness
If you think you’re suffering from CO poisoning, immediately go outside into the fresh air and seek urgent medical attention.
Gas safety checks are important - all year round
Your heating may be off in the summer months, but your boiler will still come on to heat hot water. That means it can still release harmful CO. To keep you and your loved ones safe, it’s important to get your gas appliances checked once a year by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer.
What to do if you suspect CO poisoning
In the UK you should call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999* (in Northern Ireland call 0800 002 001*) immediately.
This is a FREE service, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Advisors will be on hand to instruct you on what steps to take next. They’ll send out an emergency gas engineer from your local gas distribution network who'll ensure steps are taken to make the situation safe.