An elderly Leicestershire couple who were alerted to deadly levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) gas in their home are warning others to install CO alarms this Gas Safety Week (September 8^th – 14^th 2025).

Graham and Rosemary Pickering, from Huncote, were sitting down for their evening meal one night last December when their CO alarm went off. They knew what to do thanks to advice they received from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service when the alarm was installed during a home safety visit.

"We knew that we should open the windows, which we did," said Graham, 81. "We knew you should put the gas off, which we also did, and then we phoned Cadent, who arrived within quarter to half an hour, no more."

A gas engineer from Cadent quickly visited their home and took a reading, to discover that the level of CO in their house was 16 times higher than the safe limit.

Adam Hill, Cadent's Customer Operations Supervisor for the East Midlands, said: "The Pickerings had a close call on this occasion, and this example really does go to show the importance of having a Carbon Monoxide alarm installed at your property."

Carbon Monoxide poisoning kills between 20 and 30 people each year in the UK and injures hundreds more. The gas has been dubbed a "silent killer", as it is invisisble, odorless and tasteless. Symptoms of CO poisoning include drowsiness, nausea, headaches and loss of consciousness.

Graham Pickering went on; "We're just glad that alarm was there, I can't emphasise that enough. Everyone should have a CO alarm – it could save your life."

Joe Warren, Community Safety Station Manager for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said; "As we approach the autumn, people may be switching on their gas heaters for the first time in a while, which is why Gas Safety Week is an important reminder of the dangers of CO poisoning.

"Prior to their Home Safety Check from one of our Community Educators, the Pickerings did not have a CO alarm installed in their home, and without one the consequences could have been tragic. Every home and business with a gas or fuel-burning appliance should have a CO alarm installed."

All boilers and fuel-burning appliances should be serviced annually by an appropriately qualified engineer. You can buy CO alarms for your home and business, and portable, battery-powered ones are also avaiable if you are planning to go camping, caravanning, or travelling.

If you live in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and are eligible, you can request a Home Safety Check from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, by visiting Home Safety | Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.

If you do have a CO alarm installed at your home or business, and it goes off, you should immediately:

1. Open any windows or doors to the outside.

2. Switch off your gas appliance or fuel burner.

3. Call the national gas emergency number: 0800 111 999.

For more information on Gas Safety Week, visit Gas Safety Week - Keeping the nation safe.

You can hear the Pickerings' full story in their own words on our YouTube channel via the link below.