Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging everyone to make sure they have working carbon monoxide alarms fitted at home, as well as smoke alarms.

Earlier this month firefighters rescued a woman who had been rendered unconscious by carbon monoxide after a fire seeped smoke into her flat.

Station Manager Shaun Milton said that the woman had been very fortunate. “A neighbour heard alarms sounding from her flat and called 999. Without that intervention, there could have easily been a loss of life. Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless, and it is also extremely dangerous. Without a CO detector, you have no way of knowing that you’re being poisoned until the damage is already being done.”

He added: “CO detectors can be bought in most supermarkets and DIY stores. They’re not expensive and they save lives.”

Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal.

Early warning signs of Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning include; headaches or dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, loss of consciousness, tiredness, pains in the chest or stomach, erratic behaviour or visual problems.

Anyone who experiences any of these symptoms and believes may have been exposed to carbon monoxide, should seek urgent medical advice.

While this incident was rare, most cases of CO poisoning are caused by gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed or maintained or are poorly ventilated.

Indicators for incomplete combustion include; yellow or orange flames rather than blue flames (except in fuel effect fires or flueless appliances), soot or yellow/ brown staining around or on appliances, pilot lights that frequently blow out and Increased condensation inside windows.

If you believe you are suffering the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, you should; Open the doors and windows to ventilate the affected room, switch off all gas appliances and don't use them again until they have been checked by a registered gas engineer, leave the property immediately and get out into the open air and seek urgent medical advice from your GP or nearest A&E department.

For more advice on carbon monoxide and making your home safer, visit www.dwfire.org.uk/carbon-monoxide.