RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

October 27, 2000
"SILENT KILLER" LURKING IN NORTHERN IRELAND HOMES

People living in Northern Ireland are three times more likely to be killed from carbon monoxide poisoning than anywhere else in the United Kingdom, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today.

To raise public awareness, a roadshow organised by RoSPA and coordinated locally by environmental health departments, will be making stops throughout Northern Ireland next month in a bid to cut deaths and poisoning incidents.

Each year in the UK around 50 people die and a further 150 go to hospital after being poisoned by fumes caused by faulty heating appliances. Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless, poisonous gas which is produced when any fossil fuel is burned inefficiently.

Janice Bisp, RoSPA Home Safety Manager, Northern Ireland, said: "There is still a lot of work to be done to alert everyone to the dangers of this silent killer. Most deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning could have been avoided if people were more aware of the dangers. Two thirds of Northern Ireland’s fatalities are related to solid fuel."

There is a risk of poisoning if equipment is faulty, if there is a lack of ventilation in a room or when a chimney or flue gets blocked. Appliances which burn fossil fuels, such as gas, coal or wood, should be checked annually for safety by a professional. Gas appliances must be checked by a CORGI registered engineer and chimneys expertly cleaned. Ventilation must be maintained at all times.

Warning signs to look out for include: Gas flames, which normally burn blue, burning orange or yellow; sooty stains on or near appliances; coal or wood fires that burn slowly or go out; people suffering from prolonged flu-like symptoms.

Roadshow stops are: Nov 1 - Connswater Shopping Centre, Belfast; Nov 2 - Market Square, Antrim; Nov 3 - Banbridge; Nov 4 - Broadway, Larne; Nov 7 - Dungannon; Nov 8 - University of Ulster at Jordanstown (am), B&Q, Newtownabbey (pm); Nov 9 - Armagh; Nov 10 - Market Street, Magherafelt; Nov 13 - Coleraine Road, Maghera; Nov 14 - Londonderry; Nov 15 - Limavady; Nov 16 - Coleraine; Nov 17 - Coleraine; Nov 20 - Ards; Nov 21 - Craigavon; Nov 22 - Cookstown; Nov 23 - Newry; Nov 24 - Ballymena; Nov 28 - The Diamond, Ballycastle; Nov 29 - North Down; Nov 30 - Ballymoney.