In short, they have developed an acoustic monitoring device that is triggered by the sound of an alarm and sends an alert message to a key contact.

So, something like a carbon monoxide alarm can trigger additional alerts to relatives or carers of vulnerable people. It is another example of the gas networks taking carbon monoxide seriously. They are still innovating, still working towards the elimination of the silent killer associated with natural gas. But not everyone is doing all they can.

Carbon monoxide deaths and hospitalisations are down from where they were 25 years ago, and carbon monoxide in the environment is down nearly 80 per cent (from 1990 to 2019) but there are still too many incidents.

So, who could be doing more? Time for government to step up to the plate.

Gas appliances have never been safer, our networks too, but preventing incidents should still be on our radar. Private rented sector homes are subject to annual gas safety checks but owner-occupied properties are not. Our research suggests over half of UK homes do get their appliances serviced annually but there is no pressure/incentive/encouragement to do so. Making an annual gas service mandatory is something government could and should do. But they are petrified to do so for fear of being accused of increasing household costs, regardless of the potential to save lives and prevent the NHS having to pay for treatment of those made ill.

In addition, an annual gas service (with an energy efficiency audit too) can help reduce bills by making sure the system is running properly as well as safely. Government could make it happen at the drop of a hat; they need to show some metal.