Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas is urging people across the city to be ‘carbon monoxide safe’ this winter, as families start switching on their boilers as the colder weather sets in.

Caroline is supporting calls for householders to protect their homes against the threat of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by having their boiler serviced every 12 months and installing an audible carbon monoxide alarm.

The national campaign is being organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group, a group of MPs from all political parties working to prevent CO deaths in the UK.

Last year in the UK, over two dozen people died from CO poisoning, with many hundreds more being admitted to hospital with symptoms attributed to carbon monoxide.

The colourless, odourless gas – often dubbed the ‘Silent Killer’ – can kill quickly if inhaled in high concentrations. The symptoms of poisoning are similar to flu or food poisoning, and include headaches, nausea and dizziness.

Caroline said:

“It’s vital that people understand the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and how we can protect our homes and families from the threat.

“The advice is to get your boiler serviced and get an audible carbon monoxide alarm. Too many people die in the UK every year from carbon monoxide poisoning – we must do all we can to prevent these tragic and unnecessary deaths.”

Local residents are also being encouraged to look for warning signs that domestic gas appliances aren’t working correctly, and thus could be at risk of CO leakage.

Warning signs include lazy yellow or orange flames on appliances such as boilers and gas stoves instead of crisp blue flames, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1) The national awareness-raising campaign is being co-ordinated by the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG), a cross-party coalition of MPs and peers working together to improve policy around the carbon monoxide sector. The Group also provides a forum for Parliamentarians, gas industry representatives and other key stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the gas industry and consumers. The APPCOG is chaired by Barry Sheerman MP, Jason McCartney MP and Baroness Finlay of Llandaff.