Pet owners run a higher risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning

(08/01/2010)

With approximately 10.5 million gas fire appliances in the UK, a large proportion of the nation’s 11 million cat and dog owning households need to think twice this winter when switching on their gas fires. UK pet owners run a higher risk of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning due to the hair of their furry friends clogging up vents, flues and the filters of gas fires, warns the UK's leading gas safety charity, The Corgi Trust.

Gas fire appliances are often centrally situated in a lounge or living room, providing a focal point and warmth for all household members including cats and dogs, who love to luxuriate in front of the heat source given the opportunity. Loose and excess pet hair generated through moulting or general movement can get trapped in the gas fire therefore blocking the air-flow to burners, which leads to an inefficient burn and release of dangerous CO into the room.

Nigel Dumbrell, Manager of The Corgi Trust, commented: “Engineer reports from a recent Trust study highlighted the potential danger of pet hair blocking gas fires, which could lead to a release of the highly toxic Carbon Monoxide gas. We recommend that gas appliances are checked every year, and as a nation of pet lovers, with almost 1 in 2 households potentially owning a cat or dog, we urge pet owners to follow this advice particularly as gas fires will be on for prolonged periods.”

With a mandate to raise public awareness of CO and reduce the amount of incidents and deaths that needlessly occur each year, The Corgi Trust is a key supporter of the Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! campaign which is funded and delivered by the Energy Retail Association on behalf of the Carbon Monoxide Consumer Awareness Alliance (COCAA).

“Known as the silent killer, CO is odourless and colourless, so pets would be susceptible to its effects too, particularly as they can be in such close proximity to the source,” added Dumbrell. “Fitting an audible CO detector near to the gas appliance is another way to reduce the likely hood of pets and their owners being affected.”

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can easily be confused with flu; severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, general lethargy. Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning to watch out for include tiredness, drowsiness, headache and chest or stomach pains.

Pet population statistics published by PFMA, the pet food manufactures association, confirm that dog and cat ownership is more popular than ever with an increase of 6% in both categories compared to 2008.

Most popular dogs in 2008 included Labradors, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd, Bischon Frise, Rottweiler/Dalmation, Cocker Spaniel/Shitzu, Labradoodle/Golden retriever, Greyhounds and Chihuahuas.

Most popular cats included: Bengal, British Short Hair, Burmese, Manx and Siamese – not forgetting the 6.6 million non-pedigree moggies! According to the PFMA, dog ownership is most popular in the South West and North East with London and the South East registering the lowest numbers. Cats are the favoured pet in the South West and South East with London, Scotland and Humberside not so keen.

A recent survey of 350 dog owners from across the UK highlighted the scale of dog moulting. 60% of those surveyed, with dogs ranging from Afghans and Alsatians to Westies and Yorkshire Terriers, said their dog moulted more than they would like, with 42% of dogs moulting excessively. The survey concluded that moulting is caused by a combination of factors including climate change, central heating and changes in diet.

According to the 12th annual CO incident report, published by The Corgi Trust, nine deaths in seven separate incidents and 67 non-fatal casualties in 33 incidents were reported from 1st April 2007 to 30th June 2008. The Trust’s CENSY report also shows that although 85 per cent of households assessed have a smoke alarm, only one in four have fitted a carbon monoxide detector.

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