This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20149879

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Carbon monoxide alarms in new NI homes now compulsory Carbon monoxide alarms in new NI homes now compulsory
(35 minutes later)
Carbon monoxide alarms have become a legal requirement in all new homes in Northern Ireland.Carbon monoxide alarms have become a legal requirement in all new homes in Northern Ireland.
The new law comes as research suggests half of the UK population mistakenly believe their household smoke alarms will alert them to the gas.The new law comes as research suggests half of the UK population mistakenly believe their household smoke alarms will alert them to the gas.
The survey carried out by the Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed! campaign also says only 39% of people have a carbon monoxide alarm.The survey carried out by the Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed! campaign also says only 39% of people have a carbon monoxide alarm.
The research was carried out in September among 3,458 UK adults.The research was carried out in September among 3,458 UK adults.
The survey also said 81% of those surveyed know that carbon monoxide can kill.The survey also said 81% of those surveyed know that carbon monoxide can kill.
Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed! is the national campaign to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by carbon monoxide.Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed! is the national campaign to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by carbon monoxide.
The campaign is run by Energy UK on behalf of Britain's six major gas and electricity companies, in partnership with the Dominic Rodgers Trust.The campaign is run by Energy UK on behalf of Britain's six major gas and electricity companies, in partnership with the Dominic Rodgers Trust.
From 31 October, Northern Ireland Building Regulations will require a carbon monoxide detector or alarm "in the room where the appliance is located. However, if the combustion appliance is installed in a room or space not normally used e.g. a boiler room/cupboard, the detector/alarm should be located just outside the room or space".From 31 October, Northern Ireland Building Regulations will require a carbon monoxide detector or alarm "in the room where the appliance is located. However, if the combustion appliance is installed in a room or space not normally used e.g. a boiler room/cupboard, the detector/alarm should be located just outside the room or space".
This follows the deaths of two teenagers, Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in August 2010 after a gas leak in a holiday apartment in Castlerock.This follows the deaths of two teenagers, Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in August 2010 after a gas leak in a holiday apartment in Castlerock.
The research findings also included:The research findings also included:
  • 57% of respondents said they did not have an audible carbon monoxide alarm in their home - the equivalent of more than 35 million people in Britain. A further 4% said they did not know if they had one.
  • 93% of those surveyed agreed that a similar law to that being introduced in Northern Ireland should be considered for the rest of the UK.
  • Many people did not know carbon monoxide can also cause long-term health problems, including heart problems (93% unaware), long-term brain damage (62% unaware) and respiratory problems (34% unaware).
Poisoning deaths
  • 57% of respondents said they did not have an audible carbon monoxide alarm in their home - the equivalent of more than 35 million people in Britain. A further 4% said they did not know if they had one.
  • 93% of those surveyed agreed that a similar law to that being introduced in Northern Ireland should be considered for the rest of the UK.
  • Many people did not know carbon monoxide can also cause long-term health problems, including heart problems (93% unaware), long-term brain damage (62% unaware) and respiratory problems (34% unaware).
Poisoning deaths
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, charcoal, coal and wood do not burn completely.Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, charcoal, coal and wood do not burn completely.
The most common cause of this is when an appliance, such as a boiler or cooker, is installed incorrectly or poorly maintained. Carbon monoxide can also build up when flues, chimneys or vents are blocked.The most common cause of this is when an appliance, such as a boiler or cooker, is installed incorrectly or poorly maintained. Carbon monoxide can also build up when flues, chimneys or vents are blocked.
The Department of Health estimates that 50 people are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, and at least 4,000 are treated in hospital, in the UK each year.The Department of Health estimates that 50 people are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, and at least 4,000 are treated in hospital, in the UK each year.
However, the Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed! group says that figure is likely to be much higher, as carbon monoxide poisoning is very difficult to diagnose because symptoms are often similar to common illnesses like flu and food poisoning.However, the Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed! group says that figure is likely to be much higher, as carbon monoxide poisoning is very difficult to diagnose because symptoms are often similar to common illnesses like flu and food poisoning.
Meanwhile, safety checks carried out by the fire service in more than 22,000 homes across Merseyside found that fewer than one in 10 had a carbon monoxide alarm.Meanwhile, safety checks carried out by the fire service in more than 22,000 homes across Merseyside found that fewer than one in 10 had a carbon monoxide alarm.
What do you think about carbon monoxide alarms being compulsory in new homes in Northern Ireland? Have you suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning before? Please contact us using the form below.