MICK AND LEMBIT SUPPORT CARBON MONOXIDE AWARENESS WEEK

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 5th Dec 2006

Mick Bates AM and Lembit Öpik, MP for Montgomeryshire are lending their support to the UK's first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, launched today.

Speaking before the event, Lembit Öpik said:

"Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning kills 50 people in Britain every year and death rates are rising.

"These deaths are usually due to poorly maintained boilers. I urge everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and their families, by making sure that their domestic appliances are maintained and Carbon Monoxide alarms are fitted in their homes."

Lynn Griffiths, President of the CO-Awareness Campaign, whose own children were all poisoned by Carbon Monoxide, said,

"In most cases of accidental poisonings, victims don't realise Carbon Monoxide was being produced or building up in the air they were breathing. It is silent, but deadly.

"Carbon Monoxide is the most common poison in the UK today. There is no large scale public information campaign about it and it is not routinely tested for at post mortems. We need to make sure doctors, especially those in emergency departments and GPs, are aware of the symptoms that Carbon Monoxide can cause."

Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire added,

"We shouldn't stay silent about this silent killer. We simply can't wait for another tragedy to alert us to the dangers of Carbon monoxide."

Ends / Diwedd

Notes:

• The Campaign was launched today in the House of Commons

• Attendees at the Westminster event will include victims who have been poisoned by Carbon Monoxide and those who have lost friends and loved ones to this silent and preventable killer.

• "CO-Awareness" is a not-for-profit organisation based in Cheshire that is working to raise awareness of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide. They will be calling on the Government, regulators and industry to tighten procedures for inspection and maintenance of equipment, as well as improving training of installers and giving them access to Carbon Monoxide monitors.

• Further information is available from CO-Awareness on 07715 899 296 or by visiting the campaign's website at www.co-awareness.co.uk