China's Ministry of Education has ordered rural boarding schools across the country to install alarm devices in student dormitories to protect against poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) gas.

CO can leak from coal gas, a major fuel for winter heating in China's vast countryside.

The statement, made in a notice released Thursday by the ministry, said that with winter approaching and temperatures plummeting, CO poisoning and fire accidents occur frequently due to the use of gas in heating facilities.

It added that efforts should be made to ensure the smooth operation of school heating facilities, as well as the effective ventilation in classrooms, dormitories and offices, and to prevent leakage in fume exhaust ductwork "so as to eliminate the potential danger of CO poisoning."

The ministry further requested that schools improve heating facilities to prevent pandemic influenza among students, and schools should protect students from burning or scalding incidents caused by heating facilities.