Northern Gas Networks (NGN) has teamed up with Doctor Hilary Jones to highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning this summer, the gas distributor announced on 30 June 2025. The warning follows a 16% rise in confirmed or suspected carbon monoxide incidents across the North of England last summer1.
NGN's figures refer to the number of visits its engineers made in response to calls to the National Gas Emergency helpline in summer 2024 compared with summer 2023, covering June, July and August across the North East, Yorkshire and Cumbria1. The network says cases of CO poisoning are also rising in summer, when barbecues, camping stoves, outdoor heaters and pizza ovens present an additional risk, and that poisoning can also happen in hotels, holiday lets, tents and caravans1. Around 40 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning in England and Wales every year, while over 4,000 people seek treatment in A&E, according to figures NGN cites from NICE1.
Doctor Hilary Jones said the symptoms of CO poisoning often overlap with common summer illnesses:
"I've seen so many patients suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning, but they haven't been aware of the symptoms as they so often overlap between common illnesses. The main six symptoms to look out for are headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath and collapse."
NGN says symptoms shared by several people in a household that improve when they go outside could also be a sign of exposure to rising CO levels at home1. Its prevention guidance covers four areas1:
| Guidance | Detail given by NGN |
|---|---|
| Travel | Pack a portable CO alarm for caravans, hotels and holiday lets in the UK or abroad |
| Barbecues | Never take any barbecue, including portable and disposable ones, inside a home, tent, holiday let or caravan; they can emit CO for hours after being put out and feeling cold |
| Outdoor appliances | Outdoor fuel burning heaters, pizza ovens and camping stoves should only be used outside in open spaces |
| Boilers | Have gas appliances safety checked annually and the boiler serviced by a Gas Safe Registered Engineer every year |
If poisoning is suspected, NGN says to turn off the appliance thought to be causing it, open windows and doors, leave the building, seek urgent medical advice and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999, which will send a specialist engineer to investigate1. Doctor Hilary Jones said a medical professional will carry out breath tests to see if someone has been affected and will advise on what to do next1.
Why it matters for households
The warning applies to households across the North East, Yorkshire and Cumbria, the areas NGN serves, and to anyone using fuel-burning equipment in summer, including on holiday in the UK or abroad1. NGN's central points are that CO cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, and that appliances burning gas, wood, oil or coal can produce it1. Its advice is that the best way to prevent poisoning is an annual safety check of domestic gas appliances and a CO alarm in the home1. NGN also advises against turning off a gas supply at the meter for people living in a block of flats or multi-storey building, or where the service pipe is 3 inches in diameter or more, and says to contact the network to arrange for an engineer instead1. The guide on whether you need a carbon monoxide alarm and the guide to what CO alarms do and how to choose one cover the equipment side; the guide to carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms sets out the signs, and where to put a carbon monoxide alarm covers siting. The home emergencies hub lists the wider set of household guides.
What happens next
NGN is giving away 1,000 free carbon monoxide alarms to customers living in the areas in which it operates. The promotion is open only to residents or business owners within the NGN distribution area, and full terms and conditions apply; NGN directs people to www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/carbonmonoxide for details and to claim1. The closing date for the giveaway has not been reported1.
Sources (1)
- Doctor Hilary Jones issues urgent carbon monoxide warning for summer | Northern Gas Networks, northerngasnetworks.co.uk
Do I Need a CO Alarm
Carbon Monoxide Alarms Guide
