Stay gas safe on holiday

Last week and the coming weeks it’s very likely that many of us will soon be going on holiday as a family.

Whether you are planning on going abroad or staying at home, there are certain things that you are almost certainly going to need. Summer clothes (and waterproofs if you’re holidaying in the UK!), sun tan lotion, swimming costumes, sandals, travel money, toiletries, carbon monoxide alarm…

…wait, what? A carbon monoxide alarm? You’re going on holiday – why would you need one of those?

Sadly, safety is not a top priority for holidaymakers. Cleanliness, price, access to amenities, stunning views, décor – these are all things that are considered when booking a hotel or apartment. Staying safe and healthy during your holiday is something we tend to take for granted. Research has found that only 37% people said that having a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in their accommodation was important to them.

Yet most of us will still remember the tragic deaths of seven year old Christi Shepherd, and her brother, Bobby, six, who died of carbon monoxide poisoning whilst on holiday in Corfu in 2006. Having ruled that the siblings were unlawfully killed by a faulty boiler, coroner, David Hinchliff wrote a report, in which he stated that ‘There is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken’.

And it is as simple as taking a portable carbon monoxide alarm with you on holiday. This tragic case is not an isolated event – according to Labour MP Mary Creagh, 43 holidaymakers have died of carbon monoxide poisoning since the Shepherd’s deaths.

What should you look out for?

Badly fitted, poorly serviced gas appliances can lead to a number of potentially fatal situations, including:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Gas leaks
• Explosions
• Fires

It doesn’t matter whether you are staying in a hotel, self-catering apartment, chalet, villa, B&B, guesthouse, caravan or boat – if your accommodation has gas appliances, it is of the utmost importance that you know they have been properly installed and regularly serviced.

This is how you can stay gas safe on holiday:

1. If you are holidaying in the UK, it is a legal requirement that any rental accommodation has an annual gas safety certificate issued. You have every right to request an up-to-date copy from the landlord.
2. Ask if your holiday accommodation has a carbon monoxide alarm. If it doesn’t, take your own portable alarm. Just check that it is suitable for travel first i.e. ferry or air travel.
3. Make sure you know where the gas meter is in case you need to switch it off at any point.
4. Remember that gas appliances abroad may be different to the ones you have at home. Read any instructions before using any gas appliances or ask your holiday rep or landlord to show you.
5. If you see the following, there is a good chance that your gas appliance is not working properly and could be dangerous: black marks or stains around the appliance, lazy orange flames rather than crisp blue flames, a high level of condensation.
6. If you suspect a gas leak, extinguish any flames and turn off the gas immediately. Open windows and doors, leave your accommodation and get in touch with your landlord or holiday rep. If you are staying in the UK, you can call the Gas Emergency freephone on 0800 111 999.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Let’s be honest – many of us will indulge more when on holiday than at home. You may wake up with a hangover, make the wrong decision about those prawns or catch too much sun, none of which are going to make you feel very well.

However, carbon monoxide poisoning has six main symptoms:

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

It is vital that if you suspect that you or any other guests are falling victim to carbon monoxide poisoning, that you evacuate your holiday accommodation (having turned off the gas and extinguished any naked flames) and seek medical attention immediately.

We’re not here to make you worry about your holiday – it’s simply about having the peace of mind that in addition to sun, sea, sand and sangria, you and your family are safe. And a portable carbon monoxide alarm won’t take up any room in that suitcase!