Risk news

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has spoken out about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

In an effort to reduce to risk of poisoning, it has joined with the Health Protection Agency to draw up a one-page checklist which outlines the main indicators which point to a suspected carbon monoxide leak.

Principal policy officer at the CIEH Bob Mayho said the gas causes the death of approximately 50 people in the UK every year.

There are also a large number of non-fatal poisonings.

Individuals should fit a British Standards Kitemarked audible carbon monoxide alarm, according to the Gas Safe Register.

This move should be on top of having gas appliances regularly checked by a Gas Safe-registered engineer.

Dr Robert Maynard, of the Health Protection Agency, stated: "To reduce the risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide, it is vital that people ensure that their fossil fuel and wood burning appliances are regularly checked by an appropriately registered engineer."

Flu-like symptoms such as headaches and dizziness can be a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, although people often mistake these symptoms for having a cold or flu, rather than as being caused by the gas.

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