#Packanalarm To Be Carbon Monoxide-Free When You Ski

Just 10% of the ski chalets and apartments listed on peer-to-peer rental sites have a carbon monoxide alarm installed. 

• The Safer Tourism Foundation is calling for skiers and snowboarders to help wipe out the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning on winter holidays
• Safer Tourism says packing a carbon monoxide alarm is “a must” for winter holidaymakers to wipe out the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Safer Tourism calls for self-catering holiday rental providers to let holidaymakers know when carbon monoxide detectors are installed

Mountains can be dangerous places, and skiers and snowboarders will be mindful of the risks they face out on the slopes.  But most won’t necessarily be aware of the potential threat to life under the roof of their ski accommodation.

Carbon monoxide – the silent killer – caused by incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or badly ventilated household appliances such as cookers, heaters and central heating boilers, delivers a potentially lethal impact for anyone who inhales it.  Blocked flues and chimneys, as a result of heavy snowfall, can stop carbon monoxide gas escaping. The colourless, odourless gas can even seep in from neighbouring properties, which means even if your own holiday accommodation provider has taken all appropriate steps, you could still be at risk from the building next door.

WE HAVE THE POWER TO STOP THIS

Safer Tourism Foundation is a charity working to save lives and reduce preventable injuries and serious illnesses to people on holiday. We’re on a mission to help travellers ensure their holidays will be carbon monoxide-free, whether they are staying in a five-star resort or a last-minute, room-only booking.

Ask property owners to make their holiday rentals safer for guests.  

Airbnb and Expedia Group’s HomeAway make it clear whether or not carbon monoxide detectors are available in their rental properties.  But this level of detail is harder to find on other holiday booking sites.  TAKE ACTION and ask landlords what carbon monoxide safeguards are in place when booking their accommodation to raise awareness of this important issue.

Pack a carbon monoxide detector that is portable and effective

Carbon monoxide detectors save lives.  A carbon monoxide detector is the only proven method to determine whether carbon monoxide is affecting your air quality, and give you the time to take action and seek medical treatment preventing serious illness and even death.

But many detectors available for sale on the high street and on major retail sites do not conform with the appropriate UK regulations or have failed safety testing by Which? magazine.

Safer Tourism provides effective and affordable detectors that meet stringent safety testing, conform to British Safety Standards BS EN 50291-2 regulations, and are BSI kitemarked.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Eating different foods and being in a different climate can often take some adjusting to. But it’s important not to confuse holiday sicknesses such as food poisoning, dehydration or a hangover with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can feel like flu but without the fever. The six main symptoms are headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.

Dealing with carbon monoxide poisoning

If you or anyone with you show signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, or if your detector alarm sounds, you should

• Go outside into the fresh air immediately.
• Ask for medical support, and tell whoever treats you that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning and ask for a proper diagnosis.
• Service the appliances. If your tests confirm carbon monoxide poisoning tell the people who are responsible for your accommodation straight away.