Carbon monoxide warning for boat owners

The cold winter nights bring with them an additional threat for people living on the local waterways.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service is urging anyone who lives on a canal boat to make sure they have carbon monoxide detectors fitted.

Group Manager Steve Williams said: “There is a risk of carbon monoxide emissions from heaters and cookers used on board canal boats, and in the winter it is more likely that fumes will build up as doors and windows will be closed. We had a recent incident on the Kennet & Avon Canal where a woman was rescued from her boat after suffering from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning – fortunately she had installed a detector earlier in the year following advice given by the fire service on a boat safety check, otherwise the outcome could have been fatal.”

He added: “If you live on a boat, you should have alarms fitted - there should be at least one in the cabin area, and they should be tested on a weekly basis, just like smoke detectors. Carbon monoxide is known as a silent threat, as it is odourless, colourless, tasteless and highly poisonous. It is absorbed into the blood stream and deprives the blood of oxygen. It can and does kill, so taking the proper precautions is vital.”

The following safety advice should always be followed:

• Never block cabin ventilators.
• Do not use LPG cooking appliances for space heating.
• Never leave LPG appliances on overnight, unless they are designed to be left on and are of the room sealed type.
• Do not use mobile (cabinet) gas heaters as they are not suitable for use in boats.
• Never bring lit barbecues into the cabin as the charcoal gives off carbon monoxide gas.
• Make sure you never cover the air inlet or heat outlet of any cabin heater.
• Never operate petrol powered generators inside an enclosed space, or close to any opening or ventilator that leads into the cabin space.
• Check that the heatproof cement around the flue of your wood/coal burner is intact and sound – if not properly sealed, carbon monoxide can be released into the air.
• Make sure that the doors of any wood/coal burner and cooker have the fireproof cords in place and are sound.
• Always check that appliances are safe and free from faults.

If your carbon monoxide detector sounds, or if you suspect a build-up of fumes, you should:

• Turn off appliances and the engine.
• Open doors, windows and awnings to ventilate throughout the cabin – then get out!
• Try to keep anyone who may have been exposed to carbon monoxide as still as possible and in the fresh air.
• Seek urgent medical attention – anyone with severe symptoms should go straight to hospital.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service offers boat safety checks to people living on the local waterways.

For further information on this and a range of other home safety advice, visit www.wiltsfire.gov.uk

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