Pack your CO alarm this summer!

The summer holidays are almost upon us. Days are filled with sports days and MUFTI days; summer fairs and weekend weddings. We’ve even seen sunshine!

And so, with only a day or two to go until school ends, many of us are starting to think about what to pack for our family break. Whether you are heading to the other side of the world or just an hour down the road, there are certain things we will all need to put in our suitcases – toiletries, money, sun tan lotion, lightweight clothing, swimming costumes, waterproof clothing (after all, do you really expect a ‘staycation’ to be rain-free?), a carbon monoxide alarm…

Wait, what? A carbon monoxide alarm? Plug adapters yes, but why would you need a carbon monoxide alarm? The answer is simple – because it could save your life.

Like a pair of inflatable armbands, a carbon monoxide alarm is specifically designed to keep you safe. But let’s face it, do you honestly take you and your family’s safety into consideration when choosing where you’re going on your next holiday? Our priorities tend to be focused on destinations that suit our needs, accommodation that is within our budget, amenities that keep us and our children amused.

Remaining safe whilst away is something we just take for granted. Therefore it’s hardly surprising that less than 40% of people stated that having a CO alarm fitted in their hotel room, B&B, self-catering apartment, caravan or lodge was an important factor they consider when booking.

Ever since a jury ruled that Thomas Cook had breached its duty of care in the carbon monoxide deaths of Bobby and Christi Shepherd, holiday safety and CO poisoning has been an issue. The seven and six-year-old siblings died after being exposed to carbon monoxide from a faulty boiler whilst on holiday in Corfu in 2006 – deaths that could easily have been prevented if a carbon monoxide alarm had been fitted in their accommodation. And this is not an isolated case – Labour MP Mary Creagh attributed over 40 holidaymakers’ deaths to CO poisoning since the Shepherd case.

All you need to do to stay safe is to pack your CO alarm this summer. It really is that simple!

Please do not confuse carbon monoxide poisoning with a hangover or too much time spent in the sun. Symptoms you should look out for are as follows:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Breathlessness
• Collapse
• Loss of consciousness

If you or any of your family members start displaying these symptoms, it is imperative that you turn off the gas, extinguish any naked flames, evacuate your holiday home and seek medical attention.

When it comes to CO poisoning, it really doesn’t matter what type of accommodation you choose. If it has gas, you are at risk if any gas appliance has been poorly serviced or badly fitted. Possible scenarios include:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Gas leaks
• Fires
• Explosions

If you are holidaying in the UK, it is useful to know that landlords are legally required to have an annual gas safety certificate for their rental property. You have the right to request a copy of this certificate – one should be displayed in rental holiday lets.

You should also be able to check that your preferred accommodation comes with a CO alarm fitted. However, this isn’t possible, so all you have to do is pack your CO alarm this summer (it’s small and takes up barely any room) and you can enjoy total peace of mind! Just ensure it is suitable for ferry or air travel.

Surely you want to enjoy some much-needed sun, sea, sand and relaxation – and are you sure you’ll feel 100% relaxed if you’re unsure of your family’s safety? So as part of your holiday preparation routine, make sure you pack your CO alarm this summer!

We hope you found our article ‘Pack your CO alarm this summer!’ interesting and informative.