18 February 2011
MP for Waveney, Peter Aldous, is urging families across the region to protect themselves from deadly carbon monoxide (CO), as independent charity CO-Gas Safety reveals 594 people in the UK have died from the gas since September 1995.
The charity believe the figures may just the ‘tip of the iceberg’, with many more deaths likely to go unrecorded.
CO is a toxic gas which can be emitted from the burning of any carbon based fuel, including gas, wood, oil and petrol. The dangers of carbon monoxide were recently highlighted when singer Charlotte Church and her children suffered a lucky escape in their new home, after being alerted to a toxic leak by a CO detector.
Independent registered charity CO-Gas Safety has released its data, which shows there were 594 tragic deaths from unintentional CO and 3,973 near misses, 365 of which were found unconscious, between 1st Sept 1995 – 31st Aug 2010. Almost 70% of deaths occurred in the home and 37% of deaths were the result of CO caused by the burning of gas from the gas mains.
The charity is calling for warnings to be introduced on prime time television and other media, to try and stop the unnecessary tragedies, saying the public need to know what to do to stop it happening to them.
Peter Aldous said:
“Carbon monoxide is incredibly dangerous as it is odourless and colourless and just a small amount can kill in minutes. I’m urging residents in Waveney to think about the dangers and make sure they protect themselves and their families from this silent killer, before it’s too late.”
CO Symptoms
While symptoms will vary between individuals, they can include: 'flu like' symptoms, headaches, nausea, exhaustion, drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, palpitations, chest pain, collapse.
Advice for families: Reducing the risk of CO poisoning:
For more information about CO-Gas Safety please visit www.co-gassafety.co.uk
The charity believe the figures may just the ‘tip of the iceberg’, with many more deaths likely to go unrecorded.
CO is a toxic gas which can be emitted from the burning of any carbon based fuel, including gas, wood, oil and petrol. The dangers of carbon monoxide were recently highlighted when singer Charlotte Church and her children suffered a lucky escape in their new home, after being alerted to a toxic leak by a CO detector.
Independent registered charity CO-Gas Safety has released its data, which shows there were 594 tragic deaths from unintentional CO and 3,973 near misses, 365 of which were found unconscious, between 1st Sept 1995 – 31st Aug 2010. Almost 70% of deaths occurred in the home and 37% of deaths were the result of CO caused by the burning of gas from the gas mains.
The charity is calling for warnings to be introduced on prime time television and other media, to try and stop the unnecessary tragedies, saying the public need to know what to do to stop it happening to them.
Peter Aldous said:
“Carbon monoxide is incredibly dangerous as it is odourless and colourless and just a small amount can kill in minutes. I’m urging residents in Waveney to think about the dangers and make sure they protect themselves and their families from this silent killer, before it’s too late.”
CO Symptoms
While symptoms will vary between individuals, they can include: 'flu like' symptoms, headaches, nausea, exhaustion, drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, palpitations, chest pain, collapse.
Advice for families: Reducing the risk of CO poisoning:
- Have all appliances powered by carbon fuel that burns installed and regularly maintained according to manufacturer’s instructions by qualified people. With gas, this means Gas Safe Registered, and make sure the person who turns up to do the job is qualified for that appliance. You can check this on the Gas Safe Register site. Remember it’s your money and your life.
- Have chimneys and flues regularly swept and checked.
- Ensure adequate ventilation and don’t block vents.
- As an extra safeguard, buy a CO alarm that works to standard EN 50291. Available at a cost of around £15-£20 from any good DIY store and some supermarkets.
For more information about CO-Gas Safety please visit www.co-gassafety.co.uk
