Carbon Monoxide Awareness campaign launch

Carbon Monoxide Awareness campaign launch

Jim Dobbin MP attended the Carbon Monoxide Awareness campaign launch.

People should be aware of the injuries and deaths that arise from undiagnosed carbon monoxide poisoning. I hope all constituents of Heywood and Middleton constituency read this and learn how to avoid these dangers and make themselves aware of the symptoms and how important it is to service boilers and fossil fuel appliances regularly.

Victims of carbon monoxide poisoning have had an opportunity to tell their stories to MPs, Peers and invited guests when the latest Carbon monoxide (CO) awareness campaign was launched in the Houses of Parliament on Monday 15 November – the first Day of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week.

Lynn Griffiths, President of the charity Carbon Monoxide Awareness and Founder of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, took 20 victims of carbon monoxide poisoning to a launch event in the House of Lords which began at 10.30am on Monday 15 November.

In the afternoon the victims, including relatives of people who died from CO poisoning as well as survivors of CO gas incidents, promoted their case for greater awareness to the House of Commons where they met and shared their harrowing experiences with MPs.

“The aim is to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Lynn Griffiths, who along with her family suffered chronic and undiagnosed carbon monoxide poisoning for over 10 years because the flue at the back of the gas fire was blocked.

“Carbon monoxide gas is colourless and has no smell or taste. It is deadly and in the UK alone is responsible for approximately 50 avoidable deaths every year. Countless others suffer in the way my family did and it is all so unnecessary. That is why we are using Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week to remind householders, owners, tenants and landlords alike that lives may be at risk if they do not service boilers and other fossil fuel burning appliances regularly and particularly before winter sets in.”

The theme for this year is “Working together to prevent injuries and deaths from the UK’s most common poison during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2010.”

After taking the issue to Parliament on Monday 15 November, Mrs. Griffiths and a team from the charity, including CO victims, have embarked on a national awareness-raising tour of the UK.

Gareth Rees, a former rugby referee who has been debilitated by carbon monoxide gas, agreed to attend the events in London and Wales.

Carbon monoxide symptoms Carbon monoxide (CO) is the most common poison in the UK. Early symptoms are similar to common ailments such as food poisoning, viral infections, flu or simple tiredness. Symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Breathlessness
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Vomiting
• Chest pains
• Stomach pains
• Erratic behaviour
• Visual problems
• Total Collapse