STUDENTS living away from home for the first time are being warned of the dangers of death from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Young lives can be lost if there is a fault with the cooker or gas fire in rented accommodation, according to the Gas Safe Register.

Parents are being reminded to advise their children to check there is a carbon monoxide alarm in their digs before moving in.

As the start of a new academic year approaches, Gas Safe Register has issued essential gas safety advice.

Chief executive Peter Eldridge said: "Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas produced by badly installed and poorly maintained gas appliances.

"Students in rented accommodation can be particularly vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning if they don't know about gas safety and their rights."

In the last year, 14 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Great Britain and more than 200 suffered health problems from CO exposure.

Mr Eldridge added: "Landlords have a legal responsibility to keep gas appliances safe by getting them safety checked and serviced annually.

"They must also give their tenants, students or otherwise, a copy of the gas safety certificate to prove it."

The Northern Echo launched its Silent Killer campaign following the death in 1995 of a Durham University student.

The campaign is aimed at encouraging landlords and others to make sure gas heating appliances are properly maintained.

A Durham University spokesperson said measures were in place to raise awareness and protect students against the dangers of carbon monoxide.

He said: "All private landlords registered with the Durham Students' Union (DSU) accommodation office are required to provide either mains or battery operated carbon monoxide detectors in properties rented by students.

"We also provide all students who live in private accommodation with their own carbon monoxide detectors and a handbook which raises awareness of carbon monoxide.

"Students living in private rented accommodation with concerns about gas appliances, who are not satisfied with the response they receive from their landlord, can report their concerns to the DSU accommodation office which will follow up their complaint."

For further information on staying gas safe at university visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or call 0800-408-5500 ends Gas Safe Register recommends students follow this simple check list to avoid gas safety risks at university: 1. Know your rights. By law, Landlords must use a Gas Safe registered engineer to carry out annual safety checks and servicing on all gas appliances, and provide you with a copy of the gas safety certificate. Landlords also need to show you how to turn off the gas supply, in case of a gas escape.

2. Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. Don't mistake carbon monoxide poisoning with flu, or even a hangover.

If you have headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness or collapse, or lose consciousness in your home, but the symptoms disappear when you get out of the house, it could be CO poisoning.

3. Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm in your room and in the shared areas of your student accommodation.

This will alert you if dangerous levels of CO are present.

4. If you smell gas or think there might be a gas escape: turn off the gas at the meter, extinguish naked flames, open windows and leave the area. Seek medical advice if you feel unwell. If in the UK, call the Gas Emergency freephone number 0800-111-999.