Sharon supports Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 11th Oct 2007

Ensuring that boilers are properly maintained can save lives

Liberal Democrat MEP for the South East, Sharon Bowles, is lending her support to this year's Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, which is being launched at the Houses of Parliament on Monday, 15 October 2007.

Speaking prior to the launch, Sharon Bowles said, "Deaths from inhaling carbon monoxide fumes are on the increase, yet we could eradicate these sorts of tragedies from occurring by taking a few simple steps."

This year's Awareness Week is organised by CO Awareness, a not-for-profit group based in Cheshire that works to raise awareness of the potential dangers of carbon monoxide (CO). CO poisoning, usually the result of poorly maintained boilers or other domestic appliances, is thought to account for 50 deaths in Britain every year.

Sharon Bowles added, "Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is intended to increase public awareness about the risks of CO poisoning. I would urge all South East residents to take some simple precautions to protect themselves and their families from this silent killer, such as making sure that their domestic appliances are maintained properly and carbon monoxide alarms fitted in their homes."