This Gas Safety Week (18-24 September) Dr Ranj Singh is supporting Gas Safe Register to raise awareness of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and its symptoms as a third (32 per cent) of people would not recognise them, misdiagnosing symptoms for other illnesses.
CO poisoning is known as the ‘silent killer’ as it has no smell, taste or colour, and all the symptoms associated with CO poisoning can easily be mistaken for something else as today’s research shows.
Worryingly, one in ten (nine per cent) don’t know CO poisoning symptoms at all. These symptoms which include headaches, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, dizziness and loss of consciousness, would be misdiagnosed by many as:
- Concussion (37%)
- Meningitis (36%)
- A panic attack (27%)
- A stroke (22%)
- Flu (19%).
Gas Safe Register is urging people to learn the symptoms of potential CO poisoning, and what action to take if they suspect they or someone in their family may be suffering from it. 
Dr Ranj Singh said: “You can’t see, taste or smell CO, so it’s really important that people become more aware of its poisoning symptoms. As Gas Safe Register’s research has found, many confuse CO poisoning for other illnesses such as flu, but CO poisoning can be fatal so it’s important that we raise awareness this Gas Safety Week so that families can take the right precautions and stay safe.”
Jo Brooks was experiencing symptoms for several months before realising her family was suffering from CO poisoning, putting their illness down to a virus that wouldn’t go away. When they finally got a gas safety check, they found that a loose flue was leaking CO back into their home.
She said: “Every morning I’d stagger to work and feel like I was hungover even when I hadn’t had anything to drink. I put it down to a nasty virus. After the gas safety check, we got a brand new central heating system, more CO alarms around the house and we now make sure we set a reminder for our annual gas safety check by a registered engineer.
“I know we are incredibly lucky and that it could have been a lot worse for us. I urge all families to make sure they know the symptoms of CO poisoning and make sure they get an annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer as part of their routine to keep their family safe.”
Jonathan Samuel, Chief Executive of Gas Safe Register, said: “CO can leak from badly fitted or poorly maintained gas appliances. We recommend proactive prevention as the first line of defence against CO poisoning by getting your gas appliances checked every year by a Gas Safe Registered engineer to make sure they’re working safely and efficiently. To provide peace of mind, a CO alarm is a great second line of defence to alert you to a potential leak.”
Gas Safe Register recommends taking the following action if you suspect you might be suffering from CO poisoning:
- Leave the house and get fresh air immediately;
- Open doors and windows;
- Turn off gas appliances;
- Call the Gas Emergency Helpline on 0800 111 999;
- See your doctor immediately or go to hospital.
If suffering from CO poisoning, most people know to open the windows (68 per cent), leave the house to get fresh air (74 per cent), and contact a Gas Safe registered engineer to come and see if there’s a problem (42 per cent).
Gas Safety Week 2017 is taking place from 18 September. Search #GSW17 on social media for more top tips on how to stay gas safe.
To find out about dangers in your area visit www.StayGasSafe.co.uk and to find a Gas Safe registered engineer call 0800 408 5500 or visit www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk.