Tommy McAnairey helps increase carbon monoxide alarm ownership by over 200%
- Ownership of carbon monoxide alarms up 212% from 24% in 2014 to 75% in 2021
- Awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide as high as 92%
- 40% of adults checked their carbon monoxide alarm within the past month, up from 25% in 2018
- 61% of adults tested their carbon monoxide alarm in the last 6 months, up from 56% in 2020.
Independent research1 commissioned by Gas Networks Ireland shows that three out of every four households in Ireland now own a carbon monoxide alarm, an increase of 212% on 2014 when Gas Networks Ireland first introduced the animated canary character, Tommy McAnairey, in its carbon monoxide awareness campaign.
Gas Networks Ireland’s Networks Safety Manager, Owen Wilson, said the goal must be to get to 100%.
“We are delighted to see the increase in ownership of carbon monoxide alarms, however not every home has one yet,” Mr Wilson said.
“Statistics indicate that, on average, six people die in Ireland every year from carbon monoxide poisoning.
“A carbon monoxide alarm can alert you to the presence of this deadly gas and potentially save lives.”
Most homes in Ireland use gas, oil or solid fuels for cooking and heating. Boilers, cookers, solid fuel fires and other fuel burning appliances can produce dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide if they are not installed properly, are faulty or are not used correctly.
The research indicates that awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide is now as high as 92%.
Last year, Gas Networks Ireland advanced the safety campaign to remind the public to give their carbon monoxide alarm a monthly test.
“Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas that can be produced when any fuel is burned, including coal, turf, oil, gas and wood,” Mr Wilson said.
“At low levels carbon monoxide can cause sickness and at high levels it can kill in as little as three minutes, so it is important to have an alarm and test it monthly.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable and that’s why we’ve been using our loveable singing canary, Tommy McAnairey, and his catchy songs to make people aware that while having a carbon monoxide alarm in your house will significantly reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, it needs to be working correctly for it to be effective.”
With Tommy’s help urging people who already have an alarm to check their device on a monthly basis to ensure it's still in working order, the research shows that 40% of adults checked their alarm within the past month, up from 25% in 2018.
The number who tested their alarm in the last 6 months at 61%, up from 55% in 2020.
Altogether the campaign has won over 25 advertising industry awards to date, including winning three Shark awards and a further two Art Directors of Europe Awards in 2021.
Earlier this year, Gas Networks Ireland introduced the fourth part of its carbon monoxide safety campaign, again featuring the iconic Tommy McAnairey, this time advising on the steps to take if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off.
To find out more about the causes, signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to protect yourself and others, visit https://www.carbonmonoxide.ie/ or call the Carbon Monoxide Awareness Line on 1800 89 89 89.
Gas Networks Ireland also promotes public safety through the gas escapes emergency service, Dial Before You Dig, meter tampering and using a registered gas installer campaigns.
1 Behaviour and Attitudes quantitative research December 2021