Holidaymakers are being urged to pack an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm along with their sun cream before heading off on their seasonal break. It could save their lives.

The advice is being issued by the charity CO Awareness and the Health Protection Agency North West as thousand of Brits prepare for their summer holidays. CO Awareness President Lynn Griffiths said: “There have been a number of tragedies and numerous near-misses in this country and abroad in recent years. No one should assume that their hotel room, holiday home, caravan or canal boat is safe.

Audible CO alarms can be purchased comparatively cheaply from most hardware and electrical stores and from the larger supermarket chains. They are small and unobtrusive and will easily pack into a suitcase. It is a small investment to make but it could pay a rich dividend.”

Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide causes more than 50 accidental deaths every year in England and Wales and there have been some high profile tragedies overseas.

Professor Qutub Syed, Director, HPA North West, said: “In small spaces such as hotel rooms, caravans, boats and rented houses and cottages, levels of carbon monoxide produced by faulty, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated fossil fuel appliances can build up very quickly to levels that can kill.

“It happens all too regularly and our appeal to people planning their holidays is; don’t let it happen to you.

“Even at lower levels, carbon monoxide can make you ill. It produces symptoms similar to flu or food poisoning, including headaches, tiredness, difficulty in thinking clearly and feeling sick.

“Our advice to holiday-makers is that If you do not have an alarm, it is unlikely you will know that you are being poisoned by this lethal gas as carbon monoxide is colourless and has no taste or smell.”