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National Grid Gas Distribution is trialing a scheme to fit 300 innovative carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in Leicester and Lancaster.
A spokesperson for National Grid told Utility Week it has already fit 200 of the alarms in Lancaster University student accommodation.
The remaining 100 have been given to Leicester County Council, which has fitted them in the homes of vulnerable residents, and the Chief Fire Officers Association, which is currently “looking at the best way to distribute them”.
The detectors issue an SMS notification to a nominated mobile phone when CO is detected, as well as sending weekly reports to confirm that they are fully functional and to alert owners when the batteries need replacing.
Also involved in the scheme are Northern Gas Networks (NGN) and Wales and West Utilities. In April, NGN announced it would trial 150 of the new carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in social housing.
As part of Gas Safety Week this week, the gas distribution operator has teamed up with Gas Safe Register and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to offer free home safety checks to customers in Newcastle.
Carbon monoxide is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ as it has no smell, colour or taste making it difficult to detect. Inhaling CO prevents oxygen from being carried around the body. This can be fatal, resulting in around 50 deaths in the UK each year as well as approximately 4,000 people needing medical treatment.
In February, the Gas Safety Trust launched an online portal for data and information relating to CO poisoning in the UK.
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