Supporting CO-Awareness Week

Barbara Follett is supporting this year’s Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. The week, which runs from Monday 15th October, will feature a number of events across the UK to highlight the danger of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is the most common cause of poisoning in this country. It is the cause of 50 accidental deaths each year in the UK, yet few people take the necessary steps to prevent themselves from becoming victims. Alarmingly, the number of deaths has risen in recent years.

The most common sources of CO in the home are faulty boilers and gas appliances so it is vital that these items are properly installed and maintained. CO-Awareness, the non-profit organization behind the week, stresses the importance of buying a carbon monoxide detector which, like a smoke detector, sounds an alarm to alert people to the danger.

Barbara Follett said, “You cannot hear, see, taste or smell carbon monoxide. It is a silent killer. I urge all of my constituents to protect themselves and their families by installing carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.”

This is the second annual CO-Awareness week. Its launch at the House of Lords will feature contributions from people who have lost loved ones as a result of CO poisoning or who have themselves suffered from low-level poisoning.

Lynn Griffiths, whose own children were poisoned by CO, founded CO-Awareness. She said, “We believe knowledge is the key to preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. In most cases of accidental poisonings, victims don't realize that carbon monoxide is being produced or building up in the air they are breathing. We must no longer stay silent about this silent killer.”

Notes:

  • CO-Awareness is a non-profit organization based in Runcorn, Cheshire. See www.co-awareness.co.uk for more information.
  • Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are: headache; nausea; dizziness; fatigue. Anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to CO should seek fresh air immediately and consult a doctor.

 

Issued: 10.10.2007

Further information
Please contact Faye Bunch via the 'Contact' page, or by fax on 020 7219 1158.

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