CHEAP holidays in Britain are all the rage this summer, thanks to the credit crunch.

But Huddersfield families heading off in their caravans are being urged to make sure they are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Health Protection Agency is warning families about the ‘silent killer’.

Carbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels such as gas and coal burn without enough air.

The gas is often produced by faulty appliances such as gas powered fridges, gas fires, boilers, heaters and cookers.

It is colourless and odourless and, when breathed in, it stops red blood cells carrying oxygen round the body.

Exposure to the gas can be fatal.

Even at low levels it can damage health and produces symptoms including headaches, tiredness, difficulty thinking clearly and nausea.

It causes more than 50 deaths each year in England and Wales. Yorkshire has one of the highest number of carbon monoxide incidents.

Dominic Rodgers died at his home in Spaines Road, Fartown, when he was overcome by fumes from a faulty boiler at a neighbour’s.

Dr Mike Gent, consultant in disease control at West Yorkshire Health Protection Unit, said the effects of the gas were worse in small spaces, such as caravans or holiday flats.

He added: “Levels of carbon monoxide produced by faulty, poorly maintained or ventilated appliances can build up to deadly levels very quickly.”

He said anyone who thought they may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should turn off appliances, go outside and seek medical help or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.