MP WARNS STOCKPORT OF DEADLEY CARBON MONOXIDE RISK

11.21.00am GMT Wed 3rd Feb 2010

Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell is urging Stockport residents to protect themselves against the deadly threat of Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

New research highlighted by the "Carbon Monoxide - Be Alarmed!" campaign at an event last week in Westminster, shows that 88% of households in the North West are putting themselves at risk of poisoning by not having an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm. Carbon Monoxide is a highly poisonous gas that has no colour, taste and smell, making it impossible to detect without an alarm.

Now Andrew is backing the campaign to encourage more local people to take up Carbon Monoxide alarms, and ensure that they have all fuel burning appliances serviced annually by a registered and qualified engineer.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:

"Carbon Monoxide is a deadly and invisible killer. It is vital that people take the basic steps to protect themselves, and ensure that they have an alarm in place, and check that all fuel-burning appliances have been serviced regularly by a professional.

"I would like to see a requirement for all new homes to be fitted with an alarm as standard, and for landlords to provide an alarm before they can receive their annual gas safety certificate.

"We take fire safety very seriously in this country. It's about time we did the same with Carbon Monoxide."

ENDS