by Arash Hekmat
As children finish school for the summer and families prepare for their holidays, caravanners have been urged to protect themselves from the threat of carbon monoxide (CO).
The deadly gas, which is colourless and odourless, can be released by faulty appliances such as gas powered fridges, heaters and cookers.
So it is vital that you are sure your equipment is up to scratch if you and your family are going to be sleeping in a caravan, according to insurance provider Safeguard UK.
The company cited statistics from CO Gas Safety indicating that carbon monoxide is responsible for killing 40 people a year, as well as causing harm to a further 300.
To mitigate the risks, caravanners should make sure their tourer is equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm and check the batteries are working. It is also important to check appliances regularly as alarms will only detect large quantities of the gas.
Andy Leech, head of Safeguard UK, said: “Carbon monoxide can be lethal so it is vital that caravanners check their appliances thoroughly before heading away this summer. Investing in a carbon monoxide alarm ensures that any poisonous gas is detected before it is too late.”
