Ahead of the bank holiday weekend Wales & West Utilities is reminding people of the simple steps they can take to ‘Stay Gas Safe’.
With the long weekend presenting opportunities for home BBQ’s and camping trips away, the gas emergency and pipeline service for Wales and the south west of England is urging people to:
- Pack an audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarm: Whether you’re planning on staying at home or go camping, boating or caravanning, you still need to be aware of the dangers of CO poisoning. Remember to test the alarm and put it in the right place as per the alarm instructions.
- Never, ever use a BBQ indoors: Whether that’s a home, tent, caravan or motorhome. Always keep an eye on your BBQ when you’re cooking, and even when it’s gone out, leave it outside as it can still release poisonous fumes.
- Be prepared: If you smell gas, call us on 0800 111 999 at any time of day or night. And if you’ve had a BBQ and you feel dizzy, breathless or sick, it might not just be a bad burger, it could be carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and you should seek medical attention immediately.
We know people will be wanting to make the most of the long weekend and that’s why we want to make sure everyone knows how to Stay Gas Safe.
Whether you’re camping, caravanning or boating, or simply enjoying a BBQ in the garden, these three simple steps can help people take care of themselves and their loved ones, and make the most of their staycations this summer.
Carbon monoxide is incredibly dangerous and is called the ‘silent killer’ because you can’t see it, smell it or taste it. It’s released when any fossil fuel doesn’t burn properly – and that includes charcoal from BBQ’s. Breathing it in can make you very unwell and it can kill. Each year across the UK approximately 40 people die unnecessarily as a result of CO poisoning, with a further 200 people hospitalised and 4,000 more attending Accident & Emergency Departments.
More information on carbon monoxide poisoning can be found on Wales & West Utilities’ website www.wwutilities.co.uk.
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call us on 0800 111 999 straight away, and our engineers will be there to help any time of day or night. Before visiting, we'll ask you to let us know if you or anyone in your household, is experiencing Coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating. We'll still come and help you: but our teams will take some additional precautions to keep us all safe.