Households across Cornwall are being encouraged to make sure they have a fully working carbon monoxide (CO) alarm fitted in their homes to stay safe and protect against the risks of CO poisoning.

OFTEC, the UK trade body for the oil heating industry, has issued the advice at the start of this year’s CO Awareness Week (November 21 to 25), a national campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of CO poisoning which killed more than 50 people in the UK last year.

Malcolm Farrow, from OFTEC, said: ’People are often completely unaware they are suffering from CO poisoning, mistaking their symptoms for flu. However, the long term health consequences can be very serious and the effects deadly.’

Further information on CO poisoning can be found at  www.oilsave.co.uk