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With the holiday season well and truly upon us Wales & West Utilities is reminding people of the importance of keeping ‘carbon monoxide safe’ during the summer months.

During the next few months people from across the area will be making the most of the great British weather to visit festivals and campsites but the company is warning people to stay vigilant and take simple steps to keep themselves safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) while they are holidaying.

Mark Oliver, Wales & West Utilities Director of Business Services, with the COdebreakers


As part of its ‘Crack the COde’ initiative, the company has launched a new amination which is intended to give people an overview of the likely dangers that CO, known as the ‘silent killer’ because you can’t see it, smell it or taste it, presents during the summer months – with the number one culprit being the BBQ. The cartoon provides advice in a quick and easy to understand manner.

Each year the gas emergency and pipeline service educates and protects people across their region against CO poisoning.

Mark Oliver, Wales & West Utilities Director of Business Services, said:

“It’s really important that people are aware of CO when they’re on holiday - whether they are staying in a tent, on a boat or in holiday accommodation. People should always try and take an audible CO alarm with them, and remember, never to use a BBQ in an enclosed space like a tent.

“Each year across the UK not only are 40 people dying unnecessarily but 200 people are hospitalised and 4,000 more attend Accident & Emergency Departments as a result of CO poisoning.

“It’s incredibly dangerous because you can’t see it, smell it or taste it. Our COdebreakers aim to raise the awareness of CO with people across our network so that they have all the vital information they need to keep their loved ones safe. We want as many people as possible to ‘Crack the COde’ to help get them clued up on the dangers of CO.

“People sometimes wouldn’t associate gas with the summer months but it poses serious dangers. We hope that our latest animation provides people with a point of reference before they set off into the great outdoors.”

You can ‘Crack the COde’ and find out more about the COdebreakers here: www.wwutilities.co.uk/crack-the-code/ and see the animation at www.youtube.com/wwutilities

Wales & West Utilities leads CO awareness work through schools workshops and public awareness campaigns. It also works closely with charities on partnership activities.

Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5 million people across the south west of England and Wales. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.