Carbon monoxide claims 50 lives

Carbon monoxide poisoning has caused 50 deaths in the UK since the start of 2006, research shows.

Another 218 people suffered injuries during incidents caused by the deadly gas, according to Corgi.

But the actual number of cases is likely to be higher because of a lack of central reporting, the registration body for gas installers said.

The incidents were all linked to problems with household appliances.

Corgi drew on a variety of sources to get the figures for its first report of this kind, which looks at incidents between January 2006 and April this year.

Children and the elderly were most at risk, accounting for half the fatalities and 54% of injuries. More than half (53%) of the 2006 carbon monoxide deaths happened during the winter months.

Yorkshire was the worst hit region for gas poisoning per head of the population. Wales was the second black spot followed by the North East and the Midlands.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is usually due to a series of problems put together, Corgi said. These include faulty appliances, blocked flues and chimneys and blocked air vents.

In addition around 3,000 gas installers who are not Corgi-registered are working illegally in the UK, Corgi's report says. The quality of these tradesmen's work is not monitored. A lack of consumer awareness adds to the problem of carbon monoxide incidents.

Corgi research showed 69% of householders didn't have a carbon monoxide alarm, 42% didn't get their appliances checked annually and 25% didn't know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

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