WITH the start of the school holidays approaching, people from the area planning caravan, holiday home or canal boat holidays are being warned to be alert to the potential risks of carbon monoxide poisoning.
This can come from such appliances as gas-powered fridges, heaters or cookers.
The Health Protection Agency is advising caravan, boat and holiday home owners to have their appliances serviced by an appropriately registered engineer before setting off on holiday.
People who hire or borrow caravans, holiday homes or canal boats should ask to see a service certificate to check that appliances are properly maintained.
The agency also recommends that caravan, boat and holiday cottage users should buy audible carbon monoxide alarms.
Dr John Reid, director of the agency’s Cheshire and Merseyside health protection unit, said: “In small spaces such as caravans, boats and rented houses and cottages, levels of carbon monoxide produced by faulty, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated fossil fuel appliances can build up very quickly to levels that can kill.
“We want to remind people that appliances that have not been properly serviced are dangerous. If you do not have an alarm, it is unlikely you would know that you were being poisoned by this lethal gas as carbon monoxide is colourless and has no taste or smell.”
Exposure to high levels causes more than 50 accidental deaths a year in England and Wales.
Even at lower levels, it can harm health and may produce symptoms similar to flu or food poisoning - such as headaches, tiredness, difficulty in thinking clearly, or feeling sick.
Further general health advice is available on the HPA website at www.hpa.org.uk
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