08/01/2013

Tyrone Woman In Carbon Monoxide Scare

A County Tyrone woman in her 60s is recovering from a case of carbon monoxide poising at her home in Strabane.

The woman was found by her daughter unconscious inside her home at St John’s Place on Saturday evening.

Fire crews treated her with oxygen.

The woman has not yet been named, as the family are not speaking publicly on the incident, but they are reported to have openly advised other people to be aware of the effects and causes of carbon monoxide poisoning.

When firefighters arrived at the woman’s house, they wore breathing apparatuses in order that they could check the rest of the property. They found low levels of the gas inside the house.

Fire crew ventilated the house and searched neighbours’ properties as a precaution.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has urged the public to be aware of the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, pains in the chest or stomach, erratic behaviour and visual problems.

HSE says anyone who suspects a carbon monoxide leak should call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999, switch off the applicance and open all doors and windows to ventilate the room.

Precautions people can take against the risk of a leak include having chimneys swept regularly and having all appliances checked that burn oil, gas, coal, turf or wood.

(IT)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

31 October 2012
Carbon Monoxide Alarms Now A Legal Requirement
Carbon monoxide alarms are now a legal requirement for all new homes in Northern Ireland. The law follows the deaths of two teenagers from carbon monoxide poising at a holiday home in County L’Derry in August 2010. 18-year-old Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson died in an apartment near Coleraine.
18 October 2010
User Guide Recalls Gas Tragedy
A double tragedy in Co Londonderry last summer has been recalled with the launch of a new guide to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. NI's Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride has commended the guide, Carbon Monoxide: Are You at Risk? to both domestic users and the utilities sector of the construction industry.
29 January 2014
Gas Fitter Admits Manslaughter Of Teenagers
A gas fitter from Londonderry has pleaded guilty to causing the deaths of two teenagers by carbon monoxide poisoning. George Brown, who is from Aghadowey, had initially pleased not guilty to the charge of manslaughter.
19 December 2011
Sligo Family Death Probe Underway
An investigation has been launched into the deaths of three people at a house at Morgara, Gurteen, County Sligo on Sunday. Gardaí at Ballymote Garda Station said they are investigating the deaths of three members of a family after a relative raised the alarm on Sunday night. Gardai said they were called to the house at 9.
12 May 2009
Cooker Fault Killed Elderly Belfast Woman, Says Coroner
A domestic tragedy was recalled this week when a coroner found that a 91-year-old woman died from carbon monoxide poisoning - after closing the door on the grill of her gas cooker while it was in operation.