Silent killer still at large as carbon monoxide map published

A map profiling the most dangerous areas in the UK for incidents of carbon monoxide(CO) poisoning is released today.

It pinpoints those areas and groups of people most vulnerable to being exposed to the deadly gas.

In the last year there have been 52 CO incidents causing 125 casualties with 21 deaths.

The map is released on the same day that a survey of the public's CO awareness shows a worrying degree of apathy and ignorance - the main reasons Brits are still becoming ill and dying as a direct result of CO poisoning.

While 90% of the country has a smoke alarm almost three quarters don't have a CO alarm. Worryingly 3% of people do not even know what one is.

Homeowners should have all their gas appliances checked every year but one in seven admit to never having had any of their appliances checked. Even those who think they know all about CO poisoning are often wrong about essential life-saving facts.

Over three quarters of people believe they know the symptoms of CO poisoning but more than one in three claimed sore eyes were an indication someone was suffering from CO poisoning.

Shockingly 12% of householders think a lazy, orange flame is the way to check your boiler is working correctly - when in reality it is a sign it is faulty and almost half do not know how to turn off the gas in their home - even if they suspect their boiler is emitting dangerous CO.

The good news is less than one in 10 homeowners would use a non-CORGI registered expert to work on their gas appliances, although one in three admit they would not ask for an ID card - which is absolutely essential if the nation is to crack down on cowboys.

CORGI's Head of Safety Promotion Dan Caesar, said: "This is the second year that we have produced the Carbon Monoxide report and unfortunately, the news isn't getting any better.

"There is still a great deal of apathy being displayed towards the issue of carbon monoxide poisoning. No one can afford to be complacent because no one is immune.
"The most devastating part of these tragedies is that carbon monoxide poisoning can be avoided if you follow CORGI's simple safety steps.

"We hope that by releasing this report people will not only have a greater awareness of the safety issues involved, but that they will also take the necessary steps to keep themselves and their loved ones safe".

For more information go to www.trustcorgi.com