WIREDGOV

The deadline for organisations to register their interest in becoming local partners for a national carbon monoxide awareness programme has been extended until the end of the month.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and Gas Safe Charity are launching the Be Gas Safe programme to raise awareness of the “silent killer” and the steps that can be taken to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Rolling out across England this year, the programme will see 10,000 families receiving a free CO detector and many more receiving safety information.

Organisations that have regular and direct contact with key risk groups - particularly families with young children and older people - are being sought to become local partners to help deliver the programme. Priority will be given to organisations in areas where there has been a higher incidence of carbon monoxide poisoning per head of population or where particular concerns have been raised about gas safety, including Devon, Dorset, London, the North East, Staffordshire, the West Midlands and Yorkshire, although it is envisaged that schemes will also run in other areas.

RoSPA would like to hear from potential partner organisations interested in receiving:

• An invitation to a briefing event highlighting gas safety issues and outlining the Be Gas Safe programme
• A briefing pack containing information about how to run a local Be Gas Safe programme
• Up to 100 CO detectors for distribution to vulnerable clients
• 1,000 I’m Staying Gas Safe leaflets.

More information and an application form are available to download from the Be Gas Safe website - www.carbonmonoxidesafety.org.uk. Completed forms must be submitted by January 31, 2012, although it would be helpful if interested organisations could make contact with RoSPA before then, by emailing info@carbonmonoxidesafety.org.uk.

Each year in England and Wales, there are approximately 50 accidental deaths, 200 non-fatal poisonings that require hospital admission and 4,000 visits to A&E that result from CO poisoning*. Children and older people are particularly at risk. With gas appliances and flues that have not been properly installed, maintained or ventilated known to be among the causes of CO poisoning, the key focus of the new three-year programme will be sharing information and advice about how to stay “gas safe” including through the regular servicing of fuel-burning appliances, good ventilation and the use of audible CO detectors.

Ashley Martin, RoSPA’s public health co-ordinator and Be Gas Safe programme manager, said: “All the resources for the Be Gas Safe programme are available to local organisations free of charge. We hope to hear from potential partners across England who wish to add to their existing activities by helping their clients find out more about carbon monoxide poisoning, why it is dangerous and how to prevent it.”

Gas Safe Charity was established in 2009 by the Health and Safety Executive and Gas Safe Register, which is the official list of engineers who are qualified to awork safely and legally on gas appliances.

*Figures quoted by the Department of Health (www.dh.gov.uk/health/2011/11/co-poisoning/).