The charity Carbon Monoxide Awareness is holding its eighth National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week from Monday 18 November.

The group supports the many victims of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, their families and friends, and campaigns for greater awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide associated with the burning of gas, oil, coal and wood.

It also campaigns for changes in legislation covering the manufacture, installation and servicing of appliances burning these fuels, and lobbies the Government and industry to improve safety and raise awareness.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service has pledged its support to the charity’s Awareness Week, as promoting the dangers of carbon monoxide is a key part of its home safety advice.

Watch Manager Neil Chamberlain, from the community safety department, said: “Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless, but it is also extremely dangerous. Without a CO detector, you have no way of knowing that you’re being poisoned until the damage is already being done. Carbon monoxide kills some 15 people every year, so it is vital that every possible care is taken.”

He added: “CO detectors can be bought in most supermarkets and DIY stores. They’re not expensive and they save lives. If you’re thinking of staying in holiday accommodation over the festive period, it is certainly recommended to take a detector with you, and they should always be used when camping or caravanning.”

Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels. Most cases of CO poisoning are caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed or maintained, or are poorly ventilated.

There are signs that you can look for that indicate incomplete combustion is occurring and may result in the production of CO:
• Yellow or orange rather than blue flames (except in fuel effect fires or flueless appliances)
• Soot or yellow/brown staining around or on appliances
• Pilot lights that frequently blow out
• Increased condensation inside windows

Early symptoms of CO poisoning can be confused with food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple tiredness; however, warning signs include:
• Headaches or dizziness
• Breathlessness
• Nausea
• Loss of consciousness
• Tiredness
• Pains in the chest or stomach
• Erratic behaviour
• Visual problems

Anyone who experiences any of these symptoms and believe they may have been exposed to carbon monoxide, they should seek urgent medical advice from a GP or an A&E department.

For further information about Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, visit www.covictim.org