Izzy, a pupil at Blaenbaglan Primary School, won the Key Stage 2 regional prize for her poster entry of the ‘Get Creative, Be Safe’ competition scooping two prizes – £150 for herself and £300 for the school to support learning and creative activities.
The Get Creative, Be Safe competition is run nationally by the UK’s Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs). Each year, school‑age children are invited to design a poster, poem, video, model or song that helps warn others of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, often called the “silent killer” because it can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted.
Izzy was thrilled when she received the news that she won and said:
“I’m really happy and really enjoyed designing and colouring the poster.
“Carbon monoxide and the dangers of gas should be understood by everyone, and I hope my poster helps people stay safe.”
Mr David Burrows, Headteacher of Blaenbaglan Primary School, said:
“Carbon monoxide is a silent and extremely dangerous gas, and it’s vital that every family understands the risks. Simple steps like checking alarms and servicing appliances can save lives, and we are proud of Izzy for helping to spread this important safety message.”
Paisley Carpenter, Community and Partnerships Officer at Wales & West Utilities, added:
“The standard of entries in this year’s competition was exceptionally high, but Izzy’s design stood out as a very deserving winner. It was not only informative, but also bright, engaging and visually striking.
“On behalf of all the GDNs, I’d like to extend a huge well done to Izzy and hope that many more people are able to benefit from her important gas safety message.
“By taking part in the competition, we aim to encourage more young people to help share vital gas safety messages with their friends, families, and wider communities.”
Carbon monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ and symptoms of CO poisoning can be mistaken for food poisoning and the flu, due to their similarities, which can include headaches, tiredness, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, shortness of breath and, in extreme cases, loss of consciousness.
The most significant source of exposure to carbon monoxide for the general public is from cooking or other fuel burning appliances, such as home boilers and log burners. The risks of carbon monoxide poisoning increase if these appliances are poorly installed, faulty or used inappropriately without adequate ventilation and maintenance.
People can stay safe by taking simple actions including:
- Get an audible carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a gas appliance and test it regularly.
- Have all your gas appliances regularly serviced and safety checked every year by a Gas Safe register engineer. If you rent your home, ask for a copy of the landlord’s current Gas Safety Record.
- Know the signs of carbon monoxide: Look out for your gas appliances burning a floppy yellow or orange, not crisp and blue; pilot lights on boilers frequently blowing out; extra condensation inside your window; soot or yellow stains around appliances.
- Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: similar to the flu or food poisoning without a high temperature.
- If your alarm sounds, or you suspect carbon monoxide, take action: move outside into fresh air, leaving doors and windows open as you go. Then call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. In a medical emergency, don’t delay, call 999 immediately.
