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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Campaign warns on 'silent killer' | Campaign warns on 'silent killer' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Almost 50 people are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning in the UK every year, safety campaigners have warned. | Almost 50 people are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning in the UK every year, safety campaigners have warned. |
| The Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance, which is launching a drive to highlight dangers, says 42 people died and 177 fell ill in the last 12 months. | The Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance, which is launching a drive to highlight dangers, says 42 people died and 177 fell ill in the last 12 months. |
| It is trying to raise awareness among consumers and doctors as the "silent killer", which cannot be seen, smelt or tasted, can be difficult to diagnose. | |
| The toxic fumes can leak from faulty appliances burning fossil fuels. | |
| Carbon monoxide can be produced when gas, oil, coal or wood is used for heating or to run appliances including boilers and cookers. | |
| Householders are being urged to fit detection alarms and get qualified engineers to make annual checks on appliances. | Householders are being urged to fit detection alarms and get qualified engineers to make annual checks on appliances. |
| Symptoms of poisoning can include sickness and headaches. | Symptoms of poisoning can include sickness and headaches. |
| Regular checks | Regular checks |
| Lynn Griffiths, president of the CO-Awareness Campaign which supports victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, said people must become "assertive" in combating potential problems. | Lynn Griffiths, president of the CO-Awareness Campaign which supports victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, said people must become "assertive" in combating potential problems. |
| She said they should look out for symptoms of carbon monoxide, which can resemble general flu-like conditions, food poisoning or a virus. | She said they should look out for symptoms of carbon monoxide, which can resemble general flu-like conditions, food poisoning or a virus. |
| Ms Griffiths said: "If people in the house are becoming ill, and more of the family are becoming ill, and they're just not getting better, they should go to their GP or A&E department and say 'Could it be carbon monoxide poisoning?'" | Ms Griffiths said: "If people in the house are becoming ill, and more of the family are becoming ill, and they're just not getting better, they should go to their GP or A&E department and say 'Could it be carbon monoxide poisoning?'" |
| The BBC's Angus Crawford said the nature of the affects of carbon monoxide can lead to misdiagnosis. | The BBC's Angus Crawford said the nature of the affects of carbon monoxide can lead to misdiagnosis. |
| Some victims have been told they have flu, and sent home for bed rest, only for the poisoning to continue, our correspondent added. | Some victims have been told they have flu, and sent home for bed rest, only for the poisoning to continue, our correspondent added. |