Town Hall chiefs warn of a “silent killer”

TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are urging local people to guard against a “silent killer”.
The borough council is supporting Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week which starts today.
Set up by Lynn Griffiths, a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning, the campaign is now in its 11th year.
It enlists a range of organisations, groups and companies to help spread the message about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and raise awareness about the warning signs.
A highly poisonous gas, produced by the incomplete burning of carbon based fuels, carbon monoxide is known as “the silent killer” due to its odourless, tasteless and invisible properties.
The gas can be produced in any fuel-burning appliance that is not properly fitted or maintained.
This can include cookers, heaters, gas tumble dryers, hot water heaters and fireplaces.
Should it be released into to the air, it can raise a worrying health risk for anyone who uses gas,oil or solid fuel to heat their home or business.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin (pictured), the borough council’s lead member for public health, said: “Carbon monoxide can kill quickly and without warning if gas appliances and flues have not been properly installed, maintained or are poorly ventilated.
“That’s why it’s so important that people are aware of the dangers and that everyone ensures they have their gas appliances properly checked every year.
“As the weather gets colder, local people – in particular our more vulnerable residents – will be increasingly heating their homes to stay warm and healthy. Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week gives us a great opportunity to keep our homes safe from this silent killer, during the winter months and beyond.”
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week aims to reduce the number of poisoning incidents, which cause around 40 deaths and 200 hospitalisations in England and Wales each year, as well as around 4,000 attendances to A&E departments.
It also aims to help drive up the number of homes which have CO alarms. Currently, only one in two homes have these potentially life-saving alarms installed.