Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Travel Advice

Jim Shannon Excerpts

Tuesday 11th February 2025 Westminster Hall

[Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Allin-Khan. I am not sure if this is the first time that you have chaired Westminster Hall, but if it is, I wish you well. I am sure that there will be many more opportunities to chair and to keep us all in place—thank you for being here.

I thank the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Dr Pinkerton) for leading this debate on an important issue. He delivered a difficult story in a compassionate way on behalf of his constituents. I have only known him a short time in this House, but this is the man I know. We all convey our deepest sympathy to those who grieve for a loved one.

Being confronted with the stark reality of the loss of a life while backpacking, when everything is about fun and enjoyment, is quite inconceivable. There is nothing more valuable than life, and that is an awful thing to happen abroad. It is therefore important to suggest some ideas for addressing the issue, as the hon. Gentleman has done. The Minister always tries to respond in a positive way, and that gives us all— especially the hon. Gentleman and his constituents, and those who are here in the Gallery—hope that some good can come out of this tragedy.

Many will know that carbon monoxide is a silent killer, because it is colourless and odourless. It is known across the USA and Europe as the leading cause of fatal poisoning. Although up-to-date figures are not available, between July 2010 and June 2011 Northern Ireland suffered seven deaths and four casualties from CO poisoning. Furthermore, Northern Ireland has been identified as having the highest rate of fatalities from CO poisoning in the UK. The hon. Member for Surrey Heath looked overseas, but by reflecting on what happens back home we get an idea of the prevalence of such poisoning. That highlights a massive need for greater integration between this Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly. I am ever mindful that that is not the Minister’s responsibility, but, through his civil servants, can he give us some idea whether any discussions will be ongoing, in view of the fact that we have the highest figures in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

The FCDO provides guidance and support for British nationals who live or go abroad, outlining the type of help that it can provide and offering general advice on staying safe overseas. Whenever someone sets out on a fun journey overseas—for many, it may be the trip of a lifetime—it is important to have up-to-date travel advice and warnings for specific countries. The hon. Member for Surrey Heath has outlined that well for us all. The issue is that the UK has guidance only for our own country, meaning that for some destinations abroad there is no legal requirement for detectors in hostels and Airbnbs. We should be pushing for that, and the hon. Gentleman has done so forcibly in this debate, as we would all expect.

It is crucial that people are aware of the first signs of carbon monoxide exposure, because it is so hard to detect. Exposure to small amounts of carbon monoxide for a long time may not necessarily be fatal. It can cause flu-like symptoms, such as tiredness and headaches, memory problems and loss of vision. It can be difficult to compare, as those symptoms are common alongside other day-to-day illnesses. Someone might be under the illusion that the situation is not as bad as it was, or as it could be—hence the importance of a detector. The UK charity, CO-Gas Safety, has recorded the deaths of 34 UK citizens abroad, as the hon. Member for Surrey Heath referred to, though it says the number could be even higher. That is worrying, if such a figure just scrapes at the surface.

Currently, despite carbon monoxide posing a massive risk to people of all ages, only two of the Government’s travel safety information pages, for China and Nepal, address carbon monoxide poisoning. That might be an indication for anyone travelling to those places for a holiday of a lifetime—I would hardly be going to China, but that is by the way, and Nepal could be one of those countries people might go to. The most recent advice to British travellers highly advocates carrying a mobile carbon monoxide alarm. Some people might ask how much they have to carry, but it is light and small, does not take up much room and could save lives. That is what this debate is all about.

In addition, standards for the design and manufacture of combustion appliances can be far lower outside Europe. Appliances used in makeshift holiday lets can be old and installed in rooms ill-suited to their use. Travellers should be aware of the risks and take precautions to protect themselves. That is not a criticism of places where people stay; to be honest, when I have been abroad, I have stayed in some really bad places, but that did not bother me. Ultimately, I was not worried—I was there because they were cheap. That was when I was younger and much healthier.

Precautions are a small price to pay to protect life, but I believe the Government must do more to persuade other countries to be compliant and protect their people. Figures show that 95% of households across the UK have smoke alarms. Why do only 4% have carbon monoxide alarms, when the potential dangers are just as fatal? There are things for us to do at home that cannot be ignored. There is more work to be done, not only abroad but domestically to protect our people, which we have a duty to do.

I look to the Government and the Minister for direction and plans to raise more awareness, to have a strategy and plan of action that we can point to as a result of today’s debate. The stories we have heard of lost lives are awful. International counterparts, along with our own Government, have a role to play to ensure safety for those travelling. I look forward to hearing what the Minister says. I hope he will tell us that we can do more to protect people in future. To the hon. Member for Surrey Heath, who set the scene, I say well done.