The CIEH and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) launched a housing inspection aid to help reduce carbon monoxide poisoning.
The one page checklist outlines key indicators of the possible presence of carbon monoxide and the symptoms in occupants that environmental health practitioners should look out for.
CIEH Principal Policy Officer Bob Mayho said:
"Carbon monoxide causes the death of around 50 people each year in the UK and a much larger number of non lethal poisonings.
"The Residential Inspection Aid has been developed to help environmental health practitioners deal with such incidents and reduce the harm exposure can cause."
The aid also gives practicable advice on how to prevent exposure and what follow up action to take if necessary.
Incidence of carbon monoxide poisoning could be just the tip of the iceberg as cases are almost certainly under detected because the associated symptoms of occupants often mimic other more common conditions such as flu or food poisoning.
Gas Safe Register, which replaced the CORGI gas registration scheme across Great Britain and the Isle of Man on 1 April 2009, recommends that people fit a British Standards Kitemarked audible carbon monoxide alarm in their home. However, the installation of an alarm should not replace regular gas safety checks and servicing by a registered engineer.
Residential Property Aid, Carbon Monoxide is a free and hardcopies are available on request from COfeedback@hpa.org.uk
A unique experiment to raise awareness of dangers in the home has proved such a success that it is now opening its doors to the local community. A launch event is now being arranged to encourage more professional and voluntary agencies locally to share in the success of Scunthorpe's very own 'Hazard House'.
The 'Hazard House', which opened in August 2009, is a joint project between North Lincolnshire Council, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service and local housing association Guinness Northern Counties.
For the last six months, the specially converted property has been helping to train staff from Humberside Fire & Rescue Service, North Lincolnshire Council, Childrens Services, North Lincolnshire Homes and Guinness Northern Counties to spot signs of potential danger when they carry out home visits.
Now it is hoped to find a permanent base for the project so that the training can be made available to other organisations and tenants, both locally and from around the country.
The location of the formerly empty housing association property has been kept a secret to prevent vandalism and from the outside it looks like any other two bed terrace on the same street. But inside a whole range of tell-tale signs have been specially installed that could easily go unnoticed to the untrained eye.
The aim is to equip staff with the awareness to spot every conceivable danger - from a potential fire trap to dangerous electrics or tripping hazards, and from drug or alcohol abuse to domestic violence, child cruelty or even political extremism, including terrorism.
Life-like mannequins sprawled across sofas add a surreal quality to the unusual training venue but provide an important teaching aid for visitors who are encouraged to engage in discussion about what they can see.
