Willmott Dixon Partnerships is marking Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (21 - 25 November) by warning Birmingham residents about the dangers of failing to ensure that the gas appliances in their home are correctly maintained.

As the temperatures plummet, many people will switch on their central heating or gas fires for the first time in months - without stopping to consider the potentially fatal consequences of an unchecked appliance.

Blocked chimneys and flues, lack of ventilation and faulty gas appliances, fires, and central heating systems are some of the hidden causes of fatalities from poisoning by carbon monoxide, known as the 'silent killer'

In the UK alone each year there are approximately 50 deaths and 4000 people treated in hospital as a direct result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Yet new research findings released by the 'Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed' campaign indicate that only 38 per cent of people questioned own a carbon monoxide alarm and 75 per cent were unaware that carbon monoxide can kill.

Willmott Dixon is reminding local residents about the dangers of failing to maintain gas appliances correctly and promoting a few simple steps which could prevent needless deaths or illness as a result of this poisonous gas.

The repairs and maintenance expert has issued a checklist to help prevent exposure to carbon monoxide:

Arrange for annual gas safety checks to be carried out in your home.

Alternatively, ensure your that landlord has carried out these checks and continues to maintain the gas appliances.

DO clean your chimney/flue regularly.

Invest in a carbon monoxide alarm.

Keeps vents or airbricks ventilated.

DO NOT use appliances which are un-flued.

Be aware of these early signs of a carbon monoxide leak;

- Fires become difficult to light, burn slowly or go out completely.

- Even when fuel isn't burning, soot appears on appliances.

- Gas flames should burn blue on the majority of appliances; with a fault, the flame can turn orange or yellow.

Willmott Dixon is also warning people to watch out for these symptoms:

· Headache, nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, sore throat and dry coughs.

· Despite these flu-like symptoms, the poisoning does not cause high temperatures.

· More dangerous symptoms which may arise through long or high levels of exposure; hyperventilation, confusion, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, seizures and losing consciousness.

Willmott Dixon's north Birmingham branch manager Pauline Chatt said, "Carbon monoxide is completely odourless and cannot be seen. Just because you can't smell gas doesn't mean that you don't have a carbon monoxide leak in your home. The symptoms are often confused with flu, especially in winter, as they include severe headaches, a sore throat, dizziness, coughing, feeling sick, and a general lack of energy."

Les Shortman, Willmott Dixon's south Birmingham branch manager, added: "This is the time of year when people are most likely to suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of a leak from a gas appliance in their home that has not been checked regularly. It's vitally important to carry out regular checks of your own home, or allow access to your landlord's gas engineer, and installing a carbon monoxide alarm can help to save lives too."  

Willmott Dixon Group is one of the UK's second largest privately-owned capital works, regeneration and support services companies.

With over 158 years of experience, the company provides services within the built environment to Government, registered social landlords, local authorities and private sector clients throughout the UK.

Willmott Dixon Partnerships works within the Group to deliver support services to over 120,000 homes, 1,200 public buildings and 50 commercial properties across the UK.