Remember your long bank holiday weekend for the right reasons - be carbon monoxide aware

With the long Bank Holiday weekend approaching and summer around the corner it is an ideal chance to get out and about in the wonderful countryside Wales has to offer.

It is also the time of year camping stoves, disposable barbeques and gas-powered appliances used in caravans and tents can be lethal.

Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas that not only kills but also causes more serious injuries, all of which are avoidable. While chronic exposure to lower CO concentrations may lead to the symptoms and signs of influenza or food poisoning, exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide leads to collapse and death within minutes.

Dr Tony Jewell requests that people remember their holidays and short breaks this summer for all the right reasons:

“Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and should not be underestimated. At this time of the year, camping and caravanning are ideal family holidays, but safety must be a priority.

“Please remember when you’re going away:

• Do not use stoves or disposable barbecues for cooking or warmth in an enclosed space with poor ventilation; and
• Caravanners should have gas-powered appliances serviced annually and should use an audible carbon monoxide alarm inside their caravan as an alert system.

“Disposable barbeques should never be used indoors, so it’s equally important to remember not to bring them into home conservatories.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has a comprehensive guide to preventing fire and carbon monoxide related injuries on their website:

http://www.rospa.com/news/releases/detail/default.aspx?id=1009