Bolton sees significant increase in carbon monoxide incidents

In 2023-24, engineers from Cadent, the region’s gas emergency service, responded to 572 CO-related jobs in Bolton, marking a 26 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

Only two other towns or cities in the North West recorded a higher number.

This, say Cadent,  highlights the importance of increasing awareness of CO and ensuring annual checks of any fuel-burning appliances, such as central heating boilers and log burners, are not neglected.

The statistics were released during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.

Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause 'serious health issues', and there are around 40 deaths attributed to CO poisoning in England and Wales every year.

Paula Steer, North West Network Director at Cadent, said: "On the one hand, it is encouraging that people are contacting the gas emergency service if they suspect carbon monoxide.

"It is exactly the right thing to do, to ring 0800 111 999 immediately.

"However, we are also concerned that this is further evidence of another worrying trend.

"We commissioned research this year which told us that almost 30 per cent of people are only getting their boilers serviced every two years, or less often than that.

"This is a big worry – I can’t stress enough just how important it is to get your boiler serviced every year.

"You can’t smell carbon monoxide, and you can’t see, taste, or hear it.

"An annual safety check, by a Gas Safe registered engineer, is your best way to protect you and your family."

Such poisoning poses a serious threat to health if exposure occurs and, each year, there are around 40 deaths in England and Wales from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Symptoms are often mistaken for flu or hangover, as they are similar – including headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.

Other signs that CO may be present are that a gas flame burning orange-yellow, instead of blue; the pilot light frequently going out; excess condensation in rooms with gas appliances; and soot/yellow-brown staining around an appliance.

Carbon monoxide alarms are recommended for every room where there is such a fuel burning appliance. These must be tested regularly, and check that they remain in date (there will be a date printed on the alarm, to indicate when it should be replaced).

Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness (Image: Supplied)

In 2023-24, Cadent invested £3.6m in carbon monoxide education and awareness campaigns, including 'award-winning activities' for schools.

Cadent-funded classroom-based programmes reached more than 120,000 children last year.

There is evidence to suggest that 'awareness of CO has more than doubled in some areas Cadent operates.'

As part of its efforts to safeguard the public, Cadent distributed more than 109,000 carbon monoxide alarms last year for free in 'high-risk areas', through partnerships with local community centres, fire services, and during their engineers’ visits to homes.

CO alarms can also be purchased through many online retailers and in lots of shops, such as DIY stores and supermarkets.

Cadent urges all property owners to get their gas appliances serviced every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

More information about carbon monoxide is available on Cadent's website.