Thousands at risk from gas dubbed Silent Killer (From The Northern Echo)

Thousands at risk from gas dubbed Silent Killer

7:48am Wednesday 22nd October 2008 in

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RESEARCH released today reveals that hundreds of thousands of people in the North-East are putting themselves at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Northern Echo has campaigned for several years to help raise awareness of the dangers of the so-called Silent Killer and is backing the launch of a national initiative.

Called Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed, the campaign is being fronted by TV’s Location, Location, Location presenter, Kirstie Allsopp, and is aimed at cutting the numbers of deaths and injuries caused by the fumes.

The nationwide project hopes to encourage people to install an audible carbon monoxide alarm and to get all their gas, oil and solid fuel burning appliances serviced annually by a registered, qualified engineer.

As well as the vast number of unprotected households in the region, the research also reveals that nearly one in 30 people surveyed believe they had suffered from the effects of emissions.

The extensive investigation shows that less than half of those living in the region have an audible alarm and slightly more than half have had their appliances checked in the past year.

At the campaign’s launch, Ms Allsopp said: “I’m staggered by how few of the many homes I seen have audible alarms. Carbon monoxide can kill or leave you with permanent brain damage.”

Carbon monoxide symptoms are often confused with those of flu. They include nausea, dizziness, tiredness, headaches, loss of balance and forgetfulness.

Nigel Dumbrell, chairman of the Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance, which is organising the campaign, said: “Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no colour, taste or smell – it is impossible to detect without an alarm.

“Even at levels that don’t kill, carbon monoxide can cause lasting damage to your health.”

The project is also being backed by victims’ charities, professional organisations and energy companies.

Mr Dumbrell said: “This is the first time such a broad alliance of organisations has come together to drive the message home that people in the North- East need to protect themselves.”

Warnings over the Silent Killer were also recently renewed by the Health and Safety Executive and Corgi, each voicing their concern that in the current bleak economic climate many residents were looking at means of saving cash.

But a Corgi spokesman said: “Poorly maintained appliances can cost more money, as well as putting people at risk.”

Anyone feeling ill when using fuel-burning appliances should shut them off immediately, open all doors and windows and call the safety hotline on 0800-111-999.