Holidaymakers warned of carbon monoxide danger

HOLIDAY home, caravan and boat owners are being warned to ensure they have carbon monoxide detectors fitted this summer as the number of deaths caused by the gas is higher in leisure accommodation.

As families across the country begin their summer holidays, people are being warned of the dangers of carbon monoxide following a number of near-fatal incidents already this year.

It is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas and is responsible for over 40 deaths per year in Ireland.

Many fatalities occur at home as a result of house fires. However, incomplete combustion of domestic fuels is responsible for many cases of non-fatal, unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning.

There is also growing evidence that the number of deaths from carbon monoxide are under reported.

Last March, three people were hospitalised after they were overcome by carbon monoxide as they slept on a cruise boat near Whitegate, Co Clare.

In May, also in Co Clare, five elderly friends were overcome by carbon monoxide while enjoying afternoon tea at a house in Kilkee. Four of the women were hospitalised after they were all found unconscious by a neighbour.

Adrian Kelly, chief fire officer for Co Clare, said mobile homes, boats and recreational vehicles should be included in future carbon monoxide awareness campaigns.

“While awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide is growing among householders, we need to ensure that the same level of awareness is raised among the owners/users of holiday dwellings, recreational vehicles, etc,” Mr Kelly said.

Dr Mike Byrne, of Clare-based Ei Electronic, which produces fire and gas detection products, said: “The number of tragedies in leis-ure accommodation vehicles is higher on a pro-rata basis, such as in caravans, boats, camping vans and tents.

“This is likely to be due to the combination of the additional sources of [carbon monoxide] used, such as barbecues, petrol engines, standby generators, portable heaters, in the more confined spaces of these vehicles. People need to be careful whenever any fossil fuel is being burned to ensure they don’t inhale the potentially lethal fumes.”