to want my son to have a carbon monoxide detector with him on holiday

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18 YO DS is travelling around Europe staying in assorted accommodations, most of them for just the one night before he moves on to the next destination. Am I silly to want him to have a small portable carbon monoxide detector with him?

Very fair point actually.

In my industry we send staff with them if the accomodation doesn't verify it has them.

We’re travelling and have taken one. Some of the accommodation we’ve stayed in doesn’t appear to have any safety standards!

Tte majority of French dwellings, particularly in rural areas, are all-electric which possibly explains the lack of CO detectors.

Having known someone well who died of CO poisoning when on holiday, we always put one in, no hassle at all.

Does he use one at home? If not, isn't the everyday risk much bigger than while travelling?

I haven't met guest accommodation with any use of gas (heating , cooking, hot water) for ages.

Plus there's question of plugs, if you must, maybe buy one with European plug? No-one will use their only adaptor for this thing, and sorting an extra one is extra hassle.

Many says it doesn't take much space, but it depends on how they will travel. If it involves carrying everything on his back, he might have different measures.

Does he use one at home? If not, isn't the everyday risk much bigger than while travelling? You know the service history of appliances at home.

I have never heard of anything like this in my life.

solid fuel stoves, fires, boilers are still used in rural areas, also oil.
it is the products of combustion that may cause the problem, not just gas.

Taking one on holiday or owning one?

The advertising campaign about travelling with them is quite new I think, but our boiler engineer and chimney sweep have both been checking we have them at home for many years.

Taking one on holiday. I have one at home
I guess for me, this is a whole new level of overthinking. A million things could go wrong on holiday - heck, even at home! - but you can't pack for every eventuality.

Service history isn't enough.
When we lived in gas powered house, the inspector was checking that people used detectors as well.

Anyway, the OP doesn't even know whether the accomodation uses gas in any way. And as for "lacking" certificates - for example in my country (EU) gas inspection is required by law and is managed by the building, so noone would bother about declaring it and individual apartments don't even have any certificate at hand.

• This is not an overkill at all. My son was poisoned by carbon monoxide whilst travelling in South America 17 months ago. He was travelling with a very well known travel company who chose his accommodation. A £20 carbon monoxide alarm could have saved his life. I have since set up a campaign to try and protect other young travellers. Hudson’s Pack Safe appeal Pack Safe Appeal: Hudson’s campaign for Carbon Monoxide Travel Safety )

I am so very sorry. What an utterly tragic event. Thank you for sharing and for putting your energy into trying to address this.

It will still work nside a suitcase/ backpack so actually easier if he just leaves it in; less chance of leaving it behind.
We've taken one on every trip for the last 8 years or so.
Very small, very light, and could save our lives so why not.

@CathyFoley

How truly, truly awful.
massive respect to you for raising awareness.
It's such a simple solution and i don't understand some of the sneery responses on here.

The travel alarm recommended on my late son’s campaign has a strap which attaches to luggage so no danger of it not being visible.

@CathyFoley I am so sorry that your lovely beautiful son lost his life this way. I respect your campaigning and sharing awareness to help others.

I think it's a good idea .

I wouldn't in the uk but that's because I'd expect rented accommodation, hostels & caravans etc to have them as standard. We have in our house. We know how to avoid issues camping and taught the kids.
If my DC travelling & in back packer or cheap accommodation esp outside Europe I thinks it's sensible.

CathyFoley, I'm so sorry about beautiful Hudson.
I have taken carbon monoxide detectors with me in the past but it has fallen off the radar with me.

Thank you for sharing your story and the link. I'll be ordering a new detector for our future travels.

Please do this OP. A distant family member died, he was 18 and died from carbon monoxide poisoning on his first holiday away. I'm haunted by the grief his mother went through. I wish more would do this and it became the norm to take one anywhere you go overnight.

Sadly even in the UK hostels/hotels/caravans/care homes etc are not required by law to have a carbon monoxide alarm, as seen by the recent Swanage care home deaths. Only landlords are required by law to have an alarm which has to be certified every year.

I am so sorry for your tragic loss and hope your campaign saves lives.
We do take one on holiday and/or check that places have them. We have them at home, so it is something that is part of daily life. I am surprised that so many people think it would be OTT to take one as I think it is a basis piece of safety kit to take when travelling.

I take one with me everytime we go. There have been so many stories in the news.
You can buy a small travel one from Amazon for £10