WALES and West Utilities has partnered with The Scout Association to help educate young people about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO), and how to keep themselves and their families safe from the “silent killer”.

During the coming three years, Wales and West Utilities, alongside other UK gas companies SGN, Cadent and Northern Gas Networks, will be working with Scouts to launch activities for all age groups between six to 18-year-olds, helping them to understand the signs of CO, the symptoms of CO poisoning, and what steps to take if they think the poisonous gas is present in their homes.

Carbon monoxide is known as the “silent killer” because you can’t see, smell, taste or hear it and can kill very quickly without warning.

The symptoms of CO poisoning are very similar to flu and can often be mistaken for the common cold.

The partnership aims to give as many people as possible the knowledge they need to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

Four activities have already been created for Beavers and Cubs and plans are already in the pipeline for Scouts and Explorers.

Cubs will now be able to earn their Cubs Home Safety Activity Badge, which has been sponsored by the gas networks, when learning how to prevent accidents in the home and gaining knowledge on what to do if they occur.

Through the partnership, training and guidance will be provided for adult volunteers about CO safety, so they are better equipped to teach the young people in their groups, and to make sure everyone stays safe in meeting places and on camps.

Clive Book, Head of Emergency Services at Wales and West Utilities, said: “We are delighted to partner with The Scout Association to teach more young people across the UK about the dangers of carbon monoxide.

“This partnership extends our reach in helping even more young people and their families to stay safe all year round in their own homes by understanding the simple steps to take to stay safe, such as installing CO alarms and testing them regularly.

“Sponsoring the Cubs Home Safety Activity Badge is a great way of engaging youngsters, and we know they will be actively making sure their homes are safe from CO and any other potential dangers to gain their new badge.”

Simon Carter from the Scouts said: “Carbon monoxide safety is something everyone should know something about.  The expertise that the UK gas companies have fed into the programme activities that we have developed in partnership with them means we’ve been able to create something that’s fun to use, engaging and potentially life-saving.

“Through this partnership, we can equip more than 350,000 young people with important skills that may one day save a life.”