BEIJING, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- China has urged education authorities and schools nationwide to take safety measures in winter heating to prevent gas poisoning and other accidents in schools, according to a circular released by the State Council Education Supervision Committee.

While sufficient supplies for collective heating should be provided, the circular said heating safety hazards must be removed to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Gas poisoning occasionally causes deaths in China during the winter season, with poorly ventilated heaters or faulty stoves being to blame.

The committee also called for measures to be taken on the prevention and control of infectious diseases such as influenza and hand-foot-and-mouth disease. It urged schools to organize food safety checks on a regular basis.