Households in Oxfordshire must do more to protect themselves against the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, an industry body has warned.

Recent research highlights that over a third of homeowners in the area do not have a carbon monoxide alarm installed.

Landlords are required to install carbon monoxide alarms in every room which is used as living accommodation and contains any appliance which burns.

Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC), which runs a registration scheme for off gas grid heating technicians, has issued guidance for households to protect themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning.

They say carbon monoxide alarms should be to British Standard EN 50291 and can typically be purchased for less than £20.

These alarms should be regularly inspected to check they are working correctly.

When an alarm goes off, immediately opening windows and leaving the room is advised and once in a safe space OFTEC says to contact them or GasSafe.

If someone experiences any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, or if there is a vulnerable person in the house, OFTEX says to call 999 immediately.

Malcolm Farrow from OFTEC said: "Whilst smoke alarms are a common sight in our homes, there continues to be a lack of awareness over the risks associated with carbon monoxide poisoning.

“The long term effects of carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal and devasting.

"The installation of carbon monoxide detectors should be viewed with equal importance as having a working smoke alarm."