Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

In Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, Thomas Jervis and Flora McNeil show how the dangers have been highlighted through an inquest this week.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas, made even more dangerous as it has no taste or smell. In high quantities, it can be lethal within minutes.  For this reason, it is known as the 'silent killer', causing around 60 deaths every year in England and Wales as well as 200 hospitalisations each year.

Recent figures from the Department of Health indicate that there are 4,000 attendances at accident and emergency departments for treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning each year in England.

Raising awareness is vital to tackle this issue, as consumers need to be mindful of the ways in which they can protect themselves from the risk. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious but preventable cause of death and injury.