Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! campaign:
A toolkit for MPs
Materials and information to help you inform and support your constituents
Contents:
1) Suggested content for your press materials
2) Suggested content for your website
3) Suggested tweets
4) Carbon Monoxide fact sheet
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[MP] warns of deadly Carbon Monoxide risk
[Name] MP has urged [place] residents to protect themselves against the deadly threat of Carbon
Monoxide poisoning. New research from the Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! campaign has found
that 16.4 million households in the UK could be at risk of poisoning they don’t have an alarm in their
home which will warn them of the poisonous gas.
As carbon monoxide has no smell, colour or taste, installing an audible alarm that sounds when the
gas is present is the only way to make sure you are protected. It can be produced by any fuel-burning
appliance – such as a boiler, cooker or fire – which is faulty or doesn’t have adequate ventilation.
[Name] is supporting the Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! campaign which encourages people to
ensure they have an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm and that they have all fuel-burning appliances
serviced annually by a registered and qualified engineer.
[Name] MP, said:
“Carbon Monoxide is a deadly gas that you can’t see, smell or taste. Too many people are dying
or suffering needlessly from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. That’s why I am urging every resident in
[place] to make sure they and their loved ones are protected by installing an audible carbon
monoxide alarm.”
Lawrence Slade, Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! spokesperson, said:
“Our campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and we are
urging people to protect themselves by purchasing an audible alarm. They are available at
supermarkets, DIY stores high street shops or directly from energy suppliers. Importantly, they save
lives.”
The Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! campaign recommends four simple steps to keep households
safe:

Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm. It should meet European standard EN50291 (you can
find this on the alarm and/or packaging). Carbon Monoxide alarms are a similar size to smoke
alarms and only take a few minutes to fit

Have fuel-burning appliances serviced annually by an appropriately qualified and registered
engineer

Don't block ventilation and have chimneys swept at least once a year

Know the main symptoms: headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapsing and loss
of consciousness and watch out for soot or yellow/brown staining on or around your appliance
or pilot lights that blow out frequently
ENDS
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NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information please contact the Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! press office on 020
7492 0999 or email press@co-bealarmed.co.uk
Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! is the national campaign to reduce the number of deaths and injuries
caused by carbon monoxide. The campaign is run by Energy UK on behalf of Britain’s six major gas
and electricity companies in partnership with the Dominic Rodgers Trust, and is supported by more
than 40 other organisations.
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, charcoal, coal and wood do not burn
completely. The most common cause of this is when an appliance, such as a boiler or cooker, is
installed incorrectly or poorly maintained. Carbon monoxide can also build up when flues, chimneys or
vents are blocked.
The Department of Health estimates that at least 4,000 people are treated in hospital and 40 are killed
by carbon monoxide poisoning each year but the true figures are likely to be significantly higher.
Research
1. The research for Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! was carried out by ICM research in August
2013, among 10,604 GB adults.
2. Population figures are taken from the Office for National Statistics, giving a population of 61.9m for
England, Scotland and Wales.
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Suggested content for your website
I recently attended an event in parliament to learn more about the dangers of carbon monoxide
poisoning, as part of the Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! parliamentary campaign launch.
At the event I had the opportunity to meet with a number of people who had lost members of their
families or suffered themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning. They explained to me that carbon
monoxide has no smell, taste or colour, meaning it is easily inhaled, and that it kills up to 40 people a
year. I also learned more about the lasting impact carbon monoxide exposure can have on people’s
health, such as causing permanent damage.
With thousands of people affected each year, and symptoms often similar to that of a flu or cold,
carbon monoxide can be difficult to diagnose. So in order to ensure every person in
[CONSTITUENCY] protects themselves and their loved ones I am urging everybody to buy an audible
carbon monoxide alarm. You can find out more about carbon monoxide poisoning by clicking here
including useful instructions on how to properly fit your alarm.
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Suggested tweets
“I am supporting @COBeAlarmed campaign – make sure you get a carbon monoxide alarm today
LINK”
“Too many people in the UK die or become ill because of CO poisoning each year. Follow
@COBeAlarmed & get an alarm today LINK”
“CO poisoning is hard to identify, as symptoms are like flu. Keep your family safe by getting a CO
alarm today @COBeAlarmed LINK”
“I recently attended the @COBeAlarmed parliamentary launch. Read more about protecting yourself
here LINK”
Carbon Monoxide fact sheet
What is carbon monoxide?
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Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no colour, taste or smell, meaning it can easily
be inhaled without somebody realising. When carbon monoxide is breathed in, it starves the body of
oxygen. High levels can kill within minutes, but it can also cause a range of non-fatal health problems,
ranging from headaches and drowsiness through to lasting brain and nervous system damage.
Why should people be alarmed?
Despite the dangers, studies have shown that fewer than one in ten homes have a carbon monoxide
alarm.* An audible carbon monoxide alarm is the only effective way for people to protect themselves
and their families. Recent regulatory changes in Northern Ireland and Scotland will see more alarms
installed in homes. However, not everyone will be covered, so we urge people, wherever they are
based, to purchase and install an alarm today.
Young children and elderly people are particularly at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning because
their bodies are less able to withstand the effects. Women should also be aware that if they don’t have
an alarm and are pregnant they could be putting their unborn child at risk.
How many people are affected?
According to the Department of Health, more than 40 people in England and Wales die each year from
carbon monoxide poisoning, and thousands more are treated in hospital. It is likely many more victims
go unrecognised because the early symptoms can easily be mistaken for common illnesses such as
flu or food poisoning.
What are the causes of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, charcoal, coal and wood do not burn fully.
The most common cause of this is when a household fuel-burning appliance, such as a boiler or
cooker, is installed incorrectly or is poorly maintained.
Carbon monoxide can also build up in homes when flues, chimneys or vents are blocked, and lit
barbeques emit carbon monoxide, and continue to do so once they’re extinguished.
Four steps to protect yourself
The Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! campaign recommends four simple steps to keep your
household safe:
1. Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm in your home – if you don’t have one, go and get
one today. You can get them from most energy suppliers, DIY stores and supermarkets
and many other high street shops. Make sure you buy an audible alarm – it should meet
the European standard, EN50291. The alarm will sound if too much carbon monoxide is in
the air.
2. Have fuel-burning appliances serviced annually by a registered professional.
3. Don’t block ventilation points and get chimneys swept at least once a year.
4. Learn about the danger signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning at www.cobealarmed.co.uk
5. There have been a number of cases recently of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by
barbeques in enclosed spaces, such as in tents. When camping, be sure not to bring your
barbeque inside with you, lit or extinguished, as the build-up of carbon monoxide emitted
in a small space can be fatal.
What are the symptoms?
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Carbon monoxide can be fatal and can lead to a range of serious health problems including lasting
brain and nervous system damage.
The symptoms of mild poisoning are often similar to common illnesses such as flu or food-poisoning,
meaning people often don’t realise they are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning until the
symptoms get worse.
The most common symptoms of mild poisoning are: nausea, dizziness, tiredness, headaches and
abdominal pain. Some people may also vomit.
The longer someone breathes in carbon monoxide, the worse the symptoms will get. They may lose
their balance, vision and memory. There is also a high chance with high or prolonged exposure that
they will fall unconscious or, at worst, die. This can happen within two hours if there is a lot of carbon
monoxide in the air.
Other warning signs that suggest carbon monoxide poisoning include:
Other people in your house, flat or workplace experiencing similar symptoms
Symptoms disappearing when you leave your home and returning when you come back
What to do in an emergency
If your alarm goes off or you spot other signs of carbon monoxide:
Open doors or windows for ventilation and leave your home immediately
Stop using all your cooking and heating appliances that use fuels such as gas, oil wood, charcoal or
coal. Seek immediate advice from your GP if you think you have carbon monoxide poisoning or, if
it is urgent, call 999 for an ambulance
Call the relevant emergency advice line: Gas Emergency Service (24 hours) 0800 111 999; Solid fuels
(HETAS) 0845 634 5626; Oil (OFTEC) 0845 658 5080
Have all appliances serviced and checked. Do not use them until you are told it’s safe to do so
For information and advice on how to stay safe visit: www.co-bealarmed.co.uk
*The study was carried out by Liverpool John Moores University in 2011. Firefighters conducted checks at 22,182
properties across Merseyside. 92 per cent of the properties did not have carbon monoxide alarms.
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