Huge rise in demand for carbon monoxide alarms

SALES of carbon monoxide alarms are continuing to soar, with one Irish manufacturer recording greater sales of the units in the past month than during the whole of 2009.

Shannon-based company EI Electronics, which specialises in fire safety products, have shifted more than 35,000 carbon monoxide alarms in the last three weeks.

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, poisonous gas which occurs from the incomplete burning of natural gas and materials which contain carbon such as gasoline, kerosene, oil, propane, coal or wood.

The carbon monoxide detectors work by giving a visual and audible warning if there is a build-up of dangerous levels of the deadly gas.

According to EI Electronics marketing manager John Casey sales of the alarms have increased right across the country.

“In the last few weeks there has been a huge demand for these alarms right across Ireland.

“Everytime there is a tragedy there is an increase in sales of products such as these.

“We do expect carbon monoxide alarm sales to drop in a few weeks but we would hope that people are more aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide now and that sales will settle at a higher level than they were previously.”

Retail giants Tesco and DIY experts Woodies have also recorded a noticeable increase in the sales of carbon monoxide alarms in recent weeks.

Mr Casey added that the alarms, which retail between €20 and €50 are not the cheapest brand on the market, but that there has been some quality and liability issues with cheaper alternatives.

“It is vital that these alarms work correctly after being installed, and our alarms are independently tested and third party certified to a high standard,” he said.

* For more information on carbon monoxide visit www.carbonmonoxide.ie or contact 1850 797979.