Caravan holiday makers warned of ‘silent killer’

21 July 2008

With caravanning holidays on the increase and schools in our region set to close for the summer, the Health Protection Agency in Yorkshire and the Humber are ensuring families have a safe caravanning holiday by reminding them of the potential health risks associated with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

CO is produced when fossil fuels burn without enough air (i.e. in poorly ventilated areas) and poorly maintained caravan appliances such as liquefied petroleum gas or kerosene-powered fridges, heaters or cookers can put caravan users at risk from the potentially deadly gas.

Carbon monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ as it is a colourless and odourless gas and exposure to high levels causes more than 50 accidental deaths a year in England and Wales. The Yorkshire and the Humber region has one of the highest numbers of carbon monoxide incidences in England and Wales, with only London and the Midlands regions experiencing greater incidences.

Even at lower levels, CO can harm health and may produce symptoms similar to flu or food poisoning - such as headaches, tiredness and difficulty thinking clearly, or feeling sick.

Dr Mike Gent, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control at West Yorkshire Health Protection Unit, said: “In small spaces such as caravans, levels of carbon monoxide produced by faulty, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated fossil fuel appliances can build up very quickly to levels which can kill.”

Dr Gent added: “Anyone who suspects that they are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should immediately turn off all appliances, go outside and seek medical help from a healthcare professional or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. Appliances should not be used again until they have been serviced by a registered engineer.

“Whilst an audible carbon monoxide alarm will alert people to high levels of the gas, it will not alert people to low levels and so alarms should not replace regular inspections by a registered engineer.”

 

 

Notes for Editors

• Further health advice is available on the HPA website at www.hpa.org.uk
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) powered appliances should be serviced by a qualified CORGI registered installer who is qualified to work with LPG.
• Solid fuel appliances should be serviced by a solid fuel registered engineer.
• Holiday-makers using caravans with fossil fuel and duel fuel (gas and electric) appliances should buy an audible carbon monoxide alarm which meets British or European Standards (EN 50291).

• Carbon monoxide poisoning reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood and so starves vital organs of oxygen. As more carbon monoxide is breathed in, less oxygen can be carried in the blood and symptoms worsen as carbon monoxide concentrations in the air, and therefore in the blood, increase. Reversal of symptoms experienced by those mildly poisoned can occur by inhaling more oxygen and less carbon monoxide.

 

 

Useful external links

• Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) helpline – call 0800 915 0485 or visit www.trustcorgi.com
• Solid Fuel Association (SFA) helpline - call 0845 601 4406 or visit www.solidfuel.co.uk
• Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (HETAS) call 0845 634 5626 or visit www.hetas.co.uk

 

 

Ends

 

Issued by Charlotte Farrar

Charlotte.farrar@hpa.org.uk

0113 284 0618

07810 684 104

Last reviewed: 20 October 2008