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Thousands Being Poisoned As The Government Comes Under Pressure To Change Laws

With 50 people dying from it every year, another four thousand people being poisoned by it and fears growing that thousands more cases are going undiagnosed.
Health - 31 October 2011   Download IconContent available for download:  
Audio | Interview with Doctor Chris Steele and Ken Hanson| Login to Download

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With 50 people dying from carbon monoxide poisoning last year, another 4,000 people being treated in hospital, and growing fears that thousands more cases are going undiagnosed, the Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed! campaign is calling on every UK household to make sure they are protected by getting an audible alarm.

An alarm is the only way to detect the gas because it has no colour, taste or smell. The early symptoms can easily be missed because they are similar to flu, tiredness or a hangover, but poisoning can be fatal or leave lasting problems such as brain damage.

New research published today shows that almost two thirds of UK households don’t have an alarm and, shockingly, one in five people don’t know that it can kill – demonstrating an urgent need for greater awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide and what people can do to protect themselves.

The Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed! campaign would also like to see the Government doing more to protect people. Currently, UK laws are lagging behind the US, putting thousands of people at risk. One of the pioneers in the US was Ken Hanson, who after the tragic death of his 16 year old daughter, helped lobby for law changes in New York. Ken has flown over to Britain to support the campaign which, as well as urging individuals to get an alarm, is calling for laws to be updated so it is illegal for landlords to rent out properties without an alarm and for new build homes not to be fitted with one.

. Introduction:

With 50 people dying from carbon monoxide poisoning last year, another 4,000 being treated in hospital and growing fears that thousands more cases are going undiagnosed, people are being urged to make sure they have an audible carbon monoxide alarm in their homes.

The gas, which can be produced by heating and cooking appliances, can kill within minutes or can cause lasting damage to health, including brain damage.

But, almost two thirds of UK homes don’t have a CO alarm – and one in five of us don’t realise that carbon monoxide can kill. It is impossible to detect without an alarm until it reaches dangerous levels because it has no colour taste or smell and the early symptoms are easily mistaken for the flu or tiredness.

The Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed! campaign also says that the Government could do more to help. It wants all new homes to be fitted with an alarm and for landlords to have to provide one for rented property.

Joining us to discuss the campaign further is medical Doctor Chris Steele who can discuss the effects and symptoms of CO poisoning and provide advice on how you can protect yourself, and Ken Hanson, who helped to change the law in New York after the tragic death his daughter from carbon monoxide poisoning.

. Suggested Questions:

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

What can people do to protect themselves?

How is carbon monoxide produced?

What does the research reveal about our attitudes and understanding of carbon monoxide poisoning in our area?

Why do you think that people are not prioritising protecting themselves and their families against carbon monoxide poisoning?

Why is it so important that people are aware of the dangers?