Carbon monoxide warning as poisoning cases rise

Residents are being urged to install carbon monoxide detectors in their homes after a rise in poisoning cases.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the number of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning cases had doubled nationwide since 2020.

It said call-outs to suspected poisoning cases across the country peaked this year at 7703, up from 3,876 in 2020.

Mike Porter, manager for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said an alarm was the only way carbon monoxide could be detected.

"We can't taste it, we can't smell it [and] we can't see it," he said.

Mr Porter, who is also the National Fire Chiefs Council lead officer for carbon monoxide, said: "We lose unfortunately around 50 people a year who die within the UK accidently by carbon monoxide.

"It's an awful waste, with some tragic loss for families. We don't want anyone to have to go through that."

In August a man in his 50s died and six others were injured following a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a home in Cornwall.

Common sources of carbon dioxide in the home include gas and oil boilers, gas hobs and fires, log burners and open fires.

Mr Porter believes the cost of living crisis could have played a role in the rise of cases, as people were not having items regularly tested while chimneys, while log burners were not being swept as frequently.

He urged residents to always buy carbon monoxide detectors from reputable stores and to regularly test them.

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