MP backs CO Awareness Campaign

Local MP Alan Campbell is backing a campaign to raise awareness of silent killer Carbon Monoxide.

Alan Campbell MP said ‘The news that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) plans to prosecute Gateshead Council in connection with a Carbon Monoxide incident at a Ryton school will be of interest to every parent.  Fortunately none of the children died but CO is a hidden killer. 

Around 26 die each year from CO poisoning.  CO is a highly toxic, colourless odourless gas produced by the combustion of fuel in poorly ventilated areas.  Many more people are the victims of non lethal CO poisoning, some disabled for life as a result of brain damage due to oxygen starvation.  The numbers may be even greater because many doctors do not routinely check victims for CO poisoning as happens in some countries.  Research suggests that as many as 1 home in 4 has a defective gas appliance.

CO poisoning is not spread evenly across society.  Around a half of victims are elderly or children.  More than half of incidents occur between November and February each year.  One precaution is to have a reliable CO detector.  Across the country 83% of households have a smoke alarm but only 21% have a CO detector.
I would urge anyone who is concerned and wants to find out more to contact CO Awareness at www.co-awareness.co.uk.