Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning While on Holiday

Holidays are meant to be relaxing — not risky. Whether you’re staying in a caravan, motorhome, holiday let, or going camping, protecting yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning should always be a priority.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly dangerous gas that can be released from gas cookers, portable heaters, BBQs, stoves, and other fuel-burning appliances. Every year in the UK, tragic incidents occur during holidays because basic safety checks are overlooked.

Why Carbon Monoxide Is So Dangerous

Carbon monoxide is often called the silent killer because it:

Has no smell

Has no colour

Has no taste

It’s produced when fuels such as gas, wood, coal, or charcoal don’t burn properly. In enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces — like tents, caravans, cabins, or holiday apartments — carbon monoxide can build up quickly and become fatal.

As professionals providing plumbing services and boiler repairing services in London, we see first-hand how dangerous faulty or poorly ventilated appliances can be — at home and away.

Apply Home Safety Standards While on Holiday

You wouldn’t ignore appliance safety checks in your own home, so don’t lower your standards while travelling. Many recent UK news stories involving carbon monoxide incidents on family holidays highlight just how important this is.

Before using any appliance:

Ensure cooking and heating equipment is used in well-ventilated areas

Avoid using unfamiliar or damaged appliances

Never assume a holiday property has been properly maintained

If in doubt, don’t use it.

Always Pack a Carbon Monoxide Alarm

A portable carbon monoxide detector should be as essential as a first aid kit when travelling. Packing your own alarm provides peace of mind, especially when staying in unfamiliar accommodation.

Choose a CO alarm that:

Meets the latest UK safety standards

Is suitable for travel or temporary accommodation

Has a clear audible alert

Install it at the recommended height and distance from appliances. Never place it directly above a heat source.

BBQs, Cookers & Heaters: What NOT to Do

Some of the most serious incidents occur due to incorrect use of cooking and heating equipment. Follow these essential rules:

Never use BBQs inside tents, caravans, awnings, or motorhomes

Never bring BBQs or solid fuel stoves indoors — even if they feel cold

Always cook in open or well-ventilated spaces

Ensure caravan and motorhome cookers have proper ventilation

A yellow flame instead of a blue flame is a warning sign that combustion is faulty and dangerous.

Check Holiday Accommodation Appliances

Where possible, ask whether gas appliances in your holiday accommodation have been recently serviced and safety-checked. While this is the responsibility of the property owner, bringing your own carbon monoxide alarm is a vital backup.

This mirrors best practice we advise for homes in London when carrying out boiler installation, new boiler installation, or ongoing boiler repairing services — safety checks should never be skipped.

Know the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause:

Headaches

Dizziness

Nausea

Breathlessness

Collapse or loss of consciousness

If you suspect CO exposure:

Get everyone into fresh air immediately

Turn off appliances if safe to do so

Leave the area

Seek urgent medical help and inform professionals that carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected.

Safety First — At Home and Away

Whether you’re enjoying a holiday or returning to your London home, carbon monoxide safety should never be taken lightly. Regular servicing, safe appliance use, and working carbon monoxide alarms save lives.

If you need expert plumbing services, boiler installation, new boiler installation, or a trusted boiler repairing service in London, always choose qualified, Gas Safe registered professionals who put safety first.