More than half the British population are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning because they do not have an alarm in their home to detect the potentially fatal gas, according to new research.
The study, conducted by the Carbon Monoxide Be Alarmed! campaign in August this year, found 35 million Britons to be at risk 31 million in England, 2.4 million in Scotland and 1.6 million in Wales.
The findings were published as the installation of carbon monoxide alarms becomes compulsory in Scotland when a fuel-burning appliance is fitted.
Lending their support to the campaign are Catherine McFerran and Katrina Davidson from Newtownabbey in Northern Ireland who lost their 18-year-old sons, Neil and Aaron respectively, in 2010 to carbon monoxide poisoning while staying at a holiday apartment.
“Since our sons were cruelly taken from us by this silent killer, we have campaigned to try to prevent similar tragedies,” they said.
“Make sure you and your loved ones are protected, make sure you have a working, audible carbon monoxide alarm in your home. It is not a risk worth taking.”