One advantage of a portable alarm is that you can take it with you when you go on holiday. Whilst instances of carbon monoxide poisoning on holiday are rare you do not know the service history of a boiler or water heater in any apartment you stay in.

i have a question for you.
recenlty i moved into a new house with a combi boiler, the boiler is in the cupboard in our hall next to your bedroom, we do not have a carbon monoxide detector, should we have one?
can you pls let me know
many thanks
leona

* tiredness
* drowsiness
* headaches
* giddiness
* nausea
* vomiting
* pains in the chest
* breathlessness
* stomach pains
* erratic behaviour
* visual problems.

For more information you can also visit NHS direct.

Every year approximately 20 people die from CO poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed or maintained. Many others also suffer ill health. Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer and must be taken very seriously.

If you or your family experience any of the above symptoms and you believe CO may be involved, you must seek urgent medical advice. Your doctor will need to test you for a blood or breath sample. Be aware, CO quickly leaves the blood and tests may be inaccurate if taken more than four hours after exposure has ceased.

You should also urgently call in a CORGI trained professional to check your appliances today.

You should take great care when entering your home. Open the windows to improve air flow, switch off all gas appliances and switch off the main gas supply. If there is someone in your home at the present time you should instruct them to take these actions without delay.

If you have a boiler service agreement you should contact them on the telephone number you have been supplied with and ask them to check your gas appliances.