HVCA has joined a major campaign, organised by the Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance (COCAA), aimed at raising awareness among consumers of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO).
The national TV and press campaign will alert householders and landlords to the risk of CO poisoning caused by faulty gas appliances. It will also highlight the need to check household appliances regularly, and the wisdom of installing a CO alarm.
"There are around 30 confirmed deaths every year from CO poisoning, but the real figure could be much higher as the early symptoms are similar to those of illnesses such as influenza," said Bob Towse, Head of Technical and Safety at the HVCA.
"Many of these fatalities could be avoided if appliances burning gas,
oil or solid fuel were checked annually by qualified installers."
According to research carried out by COCAA, only half of those questioned claimed to have arranged such checks - suggesting that up to 12 million households may be at risk.
COCAA - which is administrated by the gas safety watchdog CORGI - was set up in response to recommendations contained in a government report entitled Shouting About a Silent Killer: Raising Carbon Monoxide Awareness, which was published in September 2006.
Its membership comprises the major energy retailers, representatives across all fuel types, victim support charities and manufacturers of CO alarms.
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