Plumbing - ''UK homes need more carbon monoxide alarms''

02/06/2008

New research suggests that UK residents need to brush up on their awareness of boilers and other heating products.

The Corgi Carbon Monoxide Report found that people living in London, Yorkshire, the Midlands and Wales are more likely to experience a carbon monoxide incident than other areas of the country.

It was also revealed while 91 per cent of homes have a smoke alarm installed, 65 per cent lack carbon monoxide alarms and three per cent of people do not know what such devices are.

The report found that the three groups most likely to experience a carbon monoxide incident are the elderly, those in rented accommodation, such as students, and people in non-English speaking communities.

Noted in the report is that "the lack of servicing and maintenance of gas appliances continues to be a key factor in the majority of all carbon monoxide incidents".

However, Corgi also found that people are becoming more aware of the need for proper maintenance, with 91 per cent of respondents saying they would only use a registered professional to check their boiler and heating products, with 71 per cent insisting on checking their Corgi ID.

Corgi is one of the leading organisations promoting gas safety and provides information and support tradespeople in the plumbing, heating and electrical sectors.