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Beware of CO gas poisoning

by Tom Rowley
19/11/2008

GLOSSOP residents are being warned to be vigilant this winter to the risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide in their own homes.

It follows the death of a Tintwistle pensioner last weekend — and the hospitalisation of his wife — which is being linked with possible poisoning from a faulty gas heater.

Faulty appliances, combined with poor ventilation especially in cold weather, have resulted in fatalities.

Glossop MP Tom Levitt has called on people to have detectors installed which warn of the presence of the colourless, odourless gas.

"This is the third fatal incident in High Peak within just a few years which may be linked to CO poisoning," said Mr Levitt. "It is vital that the proper authorities investigate this case thoroughly.  My sympathy and condolences go to the family concerned. If CO was responsible for this gentleman’s death, then that death was probably avoidable. We must all take on the responsibility of protecting those we love from this terrible risk."

On Monday David and Mary Jane Worswick, whose 15-year-old daughter, Mary-Ann Bailey, and her friend Martin Taylor died of CO in Hadfield in 2004, attended an event in Parliament highlighting the risk of CO poisoning.

Last year, Mr Levitt conducted a survey of several hundred residents to assess knowledge of the danger and sponsored a parliamentary debate on the issue.

This week is National CO Awareness Week and the health improvement team checked the level of CO readings of Gamesley residents. Folk blew into hand-held CO monitors, which are also used to record the effect of nicotine on the body.

Earlier in the year, a similar check on a husband and wife in Tameside led to uncovering a carbon monoxide leak in their house.