20/01/2010 - Carbon monoxide death risk revealed
More than eight in 10 households do not have an audible carbon monoxide alarm, putting their inhabitants at risk of death or serious injury, according to a new study.
Research into 1,915 adults has shown 81% do not have an audible alarm to alert them to a leak of the highly poisonous gas which can be emitted by faulty and poorly maintained boilers, cookers and other fuel burning appliances.
The findings of the study are being used as part of the Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed! campaign headed by TV property guru Kirstie Allsopp.
At least 30 people a year die in the UK as a result of poisoning by the colourless, odourless gas, with many more suffering serious injuries.
The survey showed that of those who do not have an audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, 13% believe CO poisoning is rare and do not consider the gas to be a significant risk to their health.
Of those questioned, 18% did not know that CO has no smell; 9% did not know it was invisible to the naked eye and 8% did not know that it was harmful.
More than one in 10 - 11% - did not know an alarm was available to detect the gas.
Campaigners have warned that so-called colour change indicators installed in some homes would fail to wake a sleeping household.
An alarm could also help people act in time before the gas caused serious injury and disability, a spokeswoman said.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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