Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can affect anyone at home and abroad. Known as the ‘silent killer’, victims can lose their lives within minutes of exposure. Short of death, victims can suffer life changing medical complications, functional and cognitive decline, and chronic ill health.

There is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning wherever a fossil fuel appliance is used – an everyday situation for most. Millions of Brits are estimated to suffer from chronic exposure and ill health and dozens are confirmed to die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year, though this is known to be a drastic underestimate: even those who can prove carbon monoxide exposure, which is rare, can struggle to gain recognition and support.

Victims are all too often failed by the system. Safety issues begin with policy: there is a lack of awareness within housing, emergency and healthcare services; limited competency checks for heating professionals; lax enforcement of the limited existing safety regulations; and too little communication of risk from the UK Government.

Carbon monoxide bears a greater risk abroad, where standards are typically lower than in the UK. At home and abroad, better awareness of the risk of carbon monoxide is essential.

Survivors have an intimate knowledge of the failings of the current system for carbon monoxide safety; their lived experiences can instruct on how to raise public awareness and improve the state of fuel safety services.

Parliamentarians are urged to hear victims’ stories and commit to the carbon monoxide Safety Pledge to better protect their constituents from carbon monoxide poisoning, which commits to:

• Raise awareness of how to stay fuel safe, e.g. through regular appliance safety checks
• Sign vulnerable constituents up to the Priority Services Register for energy advice
• Provide access to British Standard carbon monoxide alarms by linking constituents to local fire and gas emergency services 

For more information about the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group and the Carbon Monoxide Safety Pledge, please contact Gaelan Komen (gaelan.komen [at] policyconnect.org.uk).