The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is teaming with Gas Safe Charity to underline the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) releases from flue accessories.

Both are working together on the Be Gas Safe scheme, which aims to ensure that people are aware of the hazards that CO can bring, as well as the measures that can be taken to prevent them.

These steps include regular servicing of fuel-burning appliances, good ventilation and the installation of CO detectors.

Les Philpott, chairman of Gas Safe Charity, said: "Awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide has been improving in recent years, but the number of CO poisoning cases still being recorded shows there is no room for complacency."

Mr Philpott added that the group is pleased to be working with RoSPA on the programme.

As part of the scheme, audible CO detectors will be distributed to 10,000 families for free.