Engineers have issued a warning after the number of carbon monoxide (CO) calls in London jumped by a third in a year.
Cadent, the region’s gas emergency service, responded to 8,665 CO-related jobs in the capital in 2023/24 – a 37 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
The group said the rise in calls could be linked to people not getting their boilers serviced.
Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause health issues and be fatal in serious cases. Around 40 deaths are attributed to CO poisoning in England and Wales every year.
CO is a poisonous gas that can come from anything which burns carbon-based fuels, such as gas, oil, wood or petrol.
It is easily emitted from household appliances, including faulty boilers and gas cookers.
Inhaling the gas can cause symptoms including headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness and collapse.
James Harrison, North London Network Director, Cadent, said: “On the one hand, it is encouraging that people are contacting the gas emergency service if they suspect carbon monoxide. It is exactly the right thing to do, to ring 0800 111 999* immediately.
“However, we are also concerned that this is further evidence of another worrying trend. We commissioned research this year which told us that almost 30 per cent of people are only getting their boilers serviced every two years, or less often than that.
“This is a big worry – I can’t stress enough just how important it is to get your boiler serviced every year.
“You can’t smell carbon monoxide, and you can’t see, taste or hear it. An annual safety check, by a Gas Safe registered engineer, is your best way to protect you and your family.”
Cadent recommend installing carbon monoxide alarms in every room where there is a fuel-burning appliance. These must be tested regularly.
