Gloucester pupil helps spread vital gas safety messages and wins national prize
A Gloucester youngster is helping to spread vital gas safety messages after winning the top prize in a national competition.
Fern, a pupil at Leonard Stanley Primary School, won the overall Key Stage 2 regional prize for her entry of the ‘Get Creative, Be Safe’ competition scooping two prizes - totalling £450 for herself and £900 for the school to support learning and creative activities.
The Get Creative, Be Safe competition is run nationally by the UK’s Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs). Each year, school‑age children are invited to design a poster, poem, video, model or song that helps warn others of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, often called the “silent killer” because it can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted.
Fern was thrilled when she received the news that she won and said:
“I’m really happy and really enjoyed designing and colouring the poster.
“Carbon monoxide and the dangers of gas should be understood by everyone, and I hope my poster helps people stay safe.”
Mr. Andrew Milner, Headteacher at Leonard Stanley Primary School, added:
“We are incredibly proud of Fern for this fantastic achievement. Her work shows real initiative, creativity and a mature understanding of an extremely important safety message.
“Fern approached the competition with focus and enthusiasm, and her winning design reflects not only her artistic talent but also her determination to help others stay safe. This achievement is a wonderful example of how our pupils can use their creativity to make a positive impact beyond the classroom.”
Paisley Carpenter, Communities and Partners Officer at Wales & West Utilities, said:
“The standard of entries in this year’s competition was exceptionally high, but Fern’s design stood out as a very deserving winner. It was not only informative, but also bright, engaging and visually striking and will help share vital gas safety messages across our network.
Mr. John Allen, Fern's Class Teacher at Leonard Stanley Primary School, added:
“We are very proud of Fern, she is a very talented and creative pupil and we are sure she will flourish in whatever she does in the future.”
Carbon monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ and symptoms of CO poisoning can be mistaken for food poisoning and the flu, due to their similarities, which can include headaches, tiredness, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, shortness of breath and, in extreme cases, loss of consciousness. The most significant source of exposure to carbon monoxide for the general public is from cooking or other fuel burning appliances, such as home boilers and log burners. The risks of carbon monoxide poisoning increase if these appliances are poorly installed, faulty or used inappropriately without adequate ventilation and maintenance.
People can stay safe by taking simple actions including:
- Get an audible carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a gas appliance and test it regularly.
- Have all your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked every year by a Gas Safe register engineer. If you rent your home, ask for a copy of the landlord’s current Gas Safety Record.
- Know the signs of carbon monoxide: Look out for your gas appliances burning a floppy yellow or orange, not crisp and blue; pilot lights on boilers frequently blowing out; extra condensation inside your window; soot or yellow stains around appliances.
- Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: similar to the flu or food poisoning without a high temperature.
- If your alarm sounds, or you suspect carbon monoxide, take action: move outside into fresh air, leaving doors and windows open as you go. Then call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. In a medical emergency, don't delay, call 999 immediately.
Wales & West Utilities is the gas emergency and pipeline service, delivering energy to over 7.5 million people across Wales and the south west of England. We don’t sell gas; we transport it through an extensive underground network of more than 35,000 kilometres of pipes.
If you smell gas or suspect carbon monoxide, call the National Gas Emergency number on 0800 111 999 immediately. Trained engineers are available 24/7 to respond and keep you safe.