A ‘SIGNIFICANT’ increase in suspected carbon monoxide incidents has been recorded in Warrington, experts say.

Engineers from Cadent, the region’s gas emergency service, responded to 409 carbon monoxide-related jobs in Warrington in 2023/24.

This demonstrates a 14 per cent increase compared to the previous year, and only five other towns or cities in the north west recorded a higher number than Warrington.

Property owners are being urged not to forget annual checks of any fuel-burning appliance, such as central heating boilers and log burners.

The statistics have been released during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.

Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause serious health issues, and there are around 40 deaths attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning in England and Wales every year.

Paula Steer, north west network director for 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 cannot stress enough just how important it is to get your boiler serviced every year.

“You cannot smell, see, taste or hear carbon monoxide, and an annual safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer is your best way to protect you and your family.”

Carbon monoxide alarms can be bought through many online retailers and in lots of shops, such as DIY stores and supermarkets.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for the flu or a hangover, as they are similar.

They include headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.

Other signs that CO may be present are a gas flame burning orange or yellow instead of blue, the pilot light frequently going out, excess condensation in rooms with gas appliances, and soot or yellow-brown staining around an appliance.