Energy companies need to do more to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in homes (Eleanor Burnham )

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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Energy companies need to do more to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in homes

September 9, 2009 8:09 AM

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales has expressed concern at recent figures which show Carbon Monoxide poisoning fatalities are on the increase and has urged all householders to be aware of the dangers.

According to recent HSE statistics, carbon monoxide poisoning incidents claimed over 60 lives and caused more than 400 injuries in the UK between January 2006 and April 2008. Whilst awareness campaigns promoted by the energy industry to highlight the dangers of carbon monoxide are welcome, Eleanor Burnham believes energy companies could do much more by investing their profits in practical safety initiatives to protect householders.

Eleanor Burnham said:

" Alongside proper installation and maintenance of gas appliances by a Gas Safe Registered engineer, the use of audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are recommended as a useful back-up precaution. However, whilst the costs of detectors are less than £20.00, this is can be prohibitive for many families.

She concluded:

"I call on on energy companies to invest their profits in a major safety drive to provide free safety checks and carbon monoxide detectors in every home which has a gas supply. This would ensure no further lives are lost and could also see the creation of a number of new valuable job opportunities across Wales."