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Midlands identified as CO black spot

Midlands identified as Carbon Monoxide black spot

Consumer ignorance, irresponsible landlords and unqualified installers to blame says CORGI report

The Midlands has been identified as one of the UK's worst black spots for carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a survey released by gas safety watchdog CORGI.

The report, which surveyed over 1000 households, listed widespread consumer ignorance, lazy landlords and the growing number of illegal gas workers as the principal reasons for the increase. During the period of the survey, which ran from January 2006 to April this year, 102 incidents were reported nationwide, leading to 50 deaths and 218 injuries.

"The report makes worrying reading as the message still isn't getting home that carbon monoxide can be lethal," says Jim Lynch of Midlands-based Northern Gas Heating. "Just because you can't see or smell it, people assume carbon monoxide is harmless and they're quite happy to go five years between boiler services. It's sad to think that spending just £25 on a CO detector and having an annual service and safety check on your gas appliances with a CORGI approved engineer could just save your life," he added.

Free carbon monoxide detectors

So far this year Northern Gas Heating has given away more than 500 free CO detectors to Midlands households to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide. A further 500 detectors are now being made available on a first come first served basis

Invisible, odourless and tasteless, carbon monoxide has earned the title 'the silent killer' due to its ability to cause brain damage or even death from inhaling the smallest of amounts. CO can be produced when gas appliances are incorrectly installed or maintained, or when the flue or chimney becomes blocked. The symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of viral infections, including drowsiness, weakness, headaches, nausea and chest pains.