Teaching children about carbon monoxide (CO)
Every year in England and Wales, there are around 40 deaths from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is commonly known as the hidden danger because you can’t see, hear, smell taste or touch it. It can come from the appliances that many of us use to heat our homes and cook our food.
This 15 minute film, suitable for all ages, has been developed for use in your school assembly and features Safety Seymour and The CO Crew, who will introduce the children of your school to the dangers of carbon monoxide. They will tell your pupils about all the things you can do to identify when carbon monoxide may be in your home, and the steps you can take to keep yourself and those around you safe!
The assembly will take around 20 minutes in total and will require an internet connected large screen and projector or smartboard in the school hall. Attached within the content page is an informational letter addressed to parents that is to be shared prior to the assembly taking place. This helps to keep parents in the loop and signpost them to further information about the topic.
Watch the trailer to get a taster of what you will see
CO Assembly Resource Pack
When you book our Assembly Package, you’ll receive access to the following resources:
- A 15-minute film, designed to give your pupils an introduction to carbon monoxide, what it is, where it can be found and how to stay safe
- Information on how to deliver the CO Safety Assembly along with suggestions for an opening and closing speech
- A digital letter for parents to help keep them informed prior to the assembly taking place.
The CO School Assembly is currently only available within the Cadent Network. If you are not in the network, please email us and we’ll provide more information on how you can get involved.
Find out if you are part of the network by visiting Find my GDN.
The Katie Haines Memorial Trust
Katie Haines (nee Samuel) was born on 31 January 1979 and married Richard Haines on 12 December 2009 in a fairy-tale wedding. On 18 February 2010, shortly after returning from honeymoon and before she’d a chance to enjoy married life, she died tragically of accidental Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning at her home. Richard was poisoned while trying to resuscitate her but fortunately survived. The Katie Haines Memorial Trust was founded to promote awareness of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide, and to prevent any other family from having to go through the pain of losing a loved one. The Trust recognises the importance of teaching children about the dangers of CO as this awareness will stay with them for life.
Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network. We manage a network of more than 80,000 miles of pipes which transport gas to 11 million homes and businesses. Safety remains the key value at the heart of our business and we are committed to ensuring the safety of our customers and our colleagues. One way we do this is by working with schools to educate children on the dangers of carbon monoxide.
We also run two fun and interactive school education initiatives on the dangers of carbon monoxide
Safety Seymour
Safety Seymour is designed for KS1 (years 2 and 3). Our cuddly caped crusader is a bear on a mission to educate children on how we can protect ourselves and our homes from carbon monoxide!
To find out more and register for a session…
CO Crew
The CO Crew is designed for KS2 (years 5 and 6). The scheme centres around Mimi and Loz; two characters of The CO Crew who educate children in a fun and engaging way on the dangers of carbon monoxide and how to stay safe.
To find out more and register for a session…