EMERGENCY services have warned of the dangers of barbecues after a family from Houghton Regis were taken to hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning.
The incident happened after a chiminea – a clay, open-flamed outdoor heater used for barbecues – was moved into a St Andrews Lane home on Saturday, apparently to provide warmth overnight.
The family of five felt ill the following morning and phoned the ambulance service.
An ambulance from Dunstable and an emergency rescue unit from Stopsley were sent to the scene after receiving the call at 11.18am on Sunday.
Paramedics gave oxygen therapy and cleared any fumes in the house with a ventilation fan.
Four adults and a child were taken to Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, London, to receive specialist treatment.
When contacted by the Gazette yesterday, the family said they were “not ready” to comment on the incident.
A concerned neighbour said she spoke with the father after they left hospital. She said: “They brought the barbecue into the house overnight. It’s a curious one.
“He said they all woke up with bad headaches, but felt a bit of a fool calling an ambulance out.
“It’s probably a good thing he did call them out.”
A spokesman for the ambulance service said: “Unfortunately at this time of year we do start to see incidents relating to the use of barbecues and want to stress that people must use them safely and properly to avoid putting lives at risk.
“Last July we were called to a woman who sadly died after inhaling carbon monoxide fumes from a barbecue in her tent in Norfolk and we do not want to see a repeat of that tragedy.
“Please make absolutely sure your barbecue is used and stored, even after the heat has died down, in a clear open space to ensure enough ventilation.”
Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless, tasteless and non-irritating, which makes it difficult to detect.
Detectors and alarms are readily and affordably available from a number of high street retailers, and could save your life.
Steve Allen, of Beds & Luton Fire & Rescue Service, said: “Outdoor cookers and barbecues give off a lot of carbon monoxide. This is not normally a problem because the gas dissipates in the open air.
“However, if barbecues or chimineas are brought indoors, or within tents etc there is nowhere for the carbon monoxide to escape. In such situations the gas can build up and poison people, as in this situation. The family were lucky that this didn’t result in a fatal incident.”
Mr Allen added: “People should be aware of the serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Don’t bring outdoor cookers inside – it’s not just the smoke or fire that could kill you if it gets out of control. Smoke is visible and that alerts people to the danger. Carbon monoxide is invisible and can poison you before you realise it.”
Fire officers urge residents to buy a carbon monoxide monitor and to visit www.co-awareness.org for more information.