New Case study

Huge thanks to Naila Mansour and her family for this new case study see see https://www.co-gassafety.co.uk/case-studies/non-fatal/ It’s second down as we put case studies in the chronological order they happened.

We are hugely grateful to Naila and her family. Thank you.

Fuel Bank Foundation

Please view this report – we find it appalling.

https://www.fuelbankfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Fuel-Bank-Whitepaper-3.2.2022-fbf013-1.pdf

Week 7 of the All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Summer Campaign

This is the final week of the APPCOG summer carbon monoxide campaign.

The bank holiday is coming up so we ask you to take special care with regard to BBQs, gas lights (e.g. in tents or boats) and exhaust fumes from cars, lorries etc. and particularly from generators. Don’t ever allow fumes from generators to spill into tents – we’ve recorded a death from that.

Please don’t put a used BBQ in a tent to ‘tidy up’ or prevent tripping. It may look out and be cold to the touch at the top but there may be embers still active inside. We’ve recorded a death and serious injury from that. Try to find some way of disposing of it safely. We suggest putting it in a bowl and damping it down with water to make sure it’s completely out but even then, be careful disposal doesn’t cause any problems. 

Lastly, if you haven’t already done so, please arrange a maintenance visit for your carbon fuelled appliances e.g. gas boiler, cooker, fire etc. With gas the engineer must by law by Gas Safe Registered. Check the engineer on the Gas Safe Register. See https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

Please have chimneys & flues swept and checked.

Ensure adequate ventilation to make sure that there is enough oxygen at the flame to prevent carbon monoxide in the first place.

Well maintained appliances with clean and clear flues are not only safer but are more energy efficient.

As an extra safeguard, please buy a Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm to EN or BS 50291. Please get it out of the box and read the instructions about how to get it going and where to put it. Battery ones are easy to set up and last about 10 years. We recommend ones with sealed batteries so you are not tempted to take them out and give them to someone who needs a battery and then forget to replace them. 

If your CO alarm alarms with a loud noise similar to a smoke alarm, please DON’T IGNORE IT. CO alarms are set to alarm at a level you should not ignore – please get out of the house and ring the gas emergency number 0800 111999. The gas emergency service doesn’t test the air or appliances for CO as standard (although Cadent has undertaken about 300 investigations into CO for vulnerable customers) but they will turn off the gas, open the windows and doors  (if you haven’t already done so) and make sure you are safe.

We hope you’ve had a great summer but we want you to have a safe and healthy autumn and winter too.

Safety Warning issued 15.08.22 by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) (part of BEIS) on the use of gas grills on certain Belling, Stoves and New World gas range cookers manufactured by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA).

Email from Laura Fatah, Manager of APPCOG on 16.08.22

I am sorry to report that a safety warning was issued yesterday by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) (part of BEIS) on the use of gas grills on certain Belling, Stoves and New World gas range cookers manufactured by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA).

 

If the gas grill is used with the door closed there is a risk that dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up, posing a risk of serious injury or death to those within the immediate environment.

 

Please do share this warning with your networks, more information is available in the full warning statement and there is also a press release.

 

The APPCOG has posted this tweet.

 

Thank you for your attention on this urgent matter.

 

Week 6 of the All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Summer Campaign

The Focus for Week 6 is accessing support, this is particularly pressing with the cost of living crisis and the energy bills increase that has been in the media these last few weeks. Brief notes below, more to follow on Monday!

 

Key webpages to link to:

 

Week 6: Support for households: GDNs, PSR, 0800 111 999 15 – 21 August

Assets

  • Gas emergency: “Get outside and call 0800 11199 in a carbon monoxide emergency” – Feed & Story
  • Evacuate the property immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide – Feed & Story
  • Extra Help – Feed and Story
  • Don’t ignore your alarm if it goes off – Feed & Story
  • Liz Twist MP quote
  • Baroness Finlay quote 0800 111 999

 

Sub-messages

Don’t ignore your alarm/suspicion of carbon monoxide

Free help is available

 

CTA

  • Engage with support
  • Know what to do in an emergency 

 

Hashtags

#COAlarmsSaveLives #CarbonMonoxide

#Emergency #UsefulNumbers #Heating #Bills #FuelPoverty

#CostofLiving #Energy

 

Key external accounts

 

GDNs! Tag your local provider

 

Citizens Advice

Twitter: @CitizensAdvice https://twitter.com/CitizensAdvice

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CitizensAdvice

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/citizens.advice

 

National Energy Action

Twitter: @NEA_UKCharity https://twitter.com/NEA_UKCharity

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nationalenergyaction

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-energy-action/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/nea_ukcharity

 

APPG Fuel Poverty & Energy Efficiency

Twitter: @fpeeg https://twitter.com/fpeeg

 

HSE

Twitter: @H_S_E https://twitter.com/H_S_E

 

National Grid

Twitter: @nationalgriduk https://twitter.com/nationalgriduk

 

Week 5 of the All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Summer Campaign

Quick Support Actions:

  1. Like and re-tweet Barry’s opening message for week 5
  2. Follow UKHSA
  3. Print and display the campaign poster (attached) – take a selfie to share! Bonus points if you can put the poster up in a busy area, and even more if you can talk to someone about it.
  4. Think of some one you know from a vulnerable group (vulnerable groups: pregnant women, children and babies, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions) and send them a message to tell them about the new alarm laws and make sure they are protected.

 

Highlights last week

 

From Monday, Week 5 will focus on vulnerable groups: pregnant women, children and babies, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions. In addition, we have included an asset for homeowners and another video, this time aimed at those living in Scotland. Both these new assets are included in the weekly download: Download Campaign Asset Kit — Carbon Monoxide: Alarms Save Lives (coalarmssavelives.com)

 

  • Please tag @UKHSA in your posts – the tweet shared by UKHSA in CO Awareness Week (last November) generated over a million impressions, it would be amazing if we could support them to recognise the campaign this summer!

 

Week 5: Harm from carbon monoxide and vulnerable people and high-risk places 8 – 14 August

Assets (14)

  • Pregnant women are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning – Feed & Story
  • Babies and young children are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning – Feed & Story
  • The elderly are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning – Feed & Story
  • People with respiratory problems are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning – Feed & Story
  • Landlords have a responsibility to make sure tenants are carbon monoxide safe – Feed & Story
  • Homeowners should have carbon monoxide alarms too – Feed & Story
  • UGC for Scotland – all homes need alarms – Feed & Story

 

More on webpage: About Carbon Monoxide — Carbon Monoxide: Alarms Save Lives (coalarmssavelives.com)

 

Sub-messages

Some groups are more sensitive to carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a poison that is toxic to the body, not only a killer

Homeowners need to be protected as well – don’t get left behind

 

Call To Action

  • Take extra precautions for high-risk people
  • Know your rights
  • Don’t be left behind if you are a homeowner

 

Hashtags

#COAlarmsSaveLives #CarbonMonoxide

#Pregnancy #Babies #Family #Children #IndoorAirQuality #CleanAir #HealthyHome #OAP #Breathe #Co-morbidity

#Landlord #Homeowner #Property

 

Key external accounts

 

 

UKHSA (UK Health Security Agency)

Twitter: @UKHSA https://twitter.com/UKHSA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uk-health-security-agency/

 

Age UK

Twitter: @age_uk https://twitter.com/age_uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ageuk

Insta: https://instagram.com/age_uk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ageuktv

 

Clean School Air

Twitter: @CleanSchoolAir https://twitter.com/CleanSchoolAir

 

Mums For Lungs

Twitter: @MumsForLungs Mums For Lungs (@MumsForLungs) / Twitter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MumsforLungs/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/mumsforlungs/

 

Royal College Obstetricians and Gynae (RCOG)

Twitter: @RCObsGyn https://twitter.com/rcobsgyn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RCObsGyn

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/royal-college-of-obstetricians-and-gynaecologists/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/rcobsgyn/

 

Royal College of Midwives

Twitter: @MidwivesRCM https://twitter.com/MidwivesRCM

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidwivesRCM/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-royal-college-of-midwives/

 

Headway

Twitter: @HeadwayUK https://twitter.com/headwayuk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/headwayuk

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/headwayuk

 

Week 4 All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group Summer Campaign

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022: guidance for landlords and tenants – GOV.UK PUBLISHED on Friday 29 July 2022, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have published their guidance on the new regulations for England – just in time for the theme this week!

 

Quick Support actions:

  • Share our post about the new alarms guidance!
  • Follow the campaign TikTok Account account here.
  • Tell one person you know – either a tenant or a landlord – about the new laws so they can get ready

 

Parliamentarians in the media

  • Last Wednesday, Alex Cunningham MP delivered a fantastic interview, live on BBC Radio Tees with Scott Makin! Listen again here, the interview starts at 1:15:30 in online the recording (available for 4 weeks)
  • Last Monday, Barry Sheerman MP was featured in Huddersfield Hud on the APPCOG’s campaigning for the incoming regulations – with a quote from Steve Dacre at NGN.

 

There has also been lots of brilliant radio coverage featuring a range of stakeholders – thanks so much to everyone who has contributed as a spokesperson, this is a great way to get our message out to the public! A full report on all media will be circulate once the campaign has closed.

 

This week are focusing on the new government guidance for the incoming regulations in England. You can download the Assets for Week 4 now!

 

Week 4: New rules for carbon monoxide alarms – do you know your rights and responsibilities?

1 – 7 August

Assets (8)

  • Tenants! Speak to your landlord about getting a carbon monoxide alarm – Feed & Story
  • Barry: “If you don’t have an alarm, you need to get one for your home as soon as possible” – Feed & Story
  • Do you know your renters rights? – Feed & Story
  • Landlord video
  • Andrew Selous MP quote

 

Sub-messages

You may have the right to an alarm (tenants)

You are responsible for protecting tenants (landlords and social housing providers)

Is your rented home safe/compliant?

Guidance is available for your reference: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022: guidance for landlords and tenants – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

Call to Action

  • Get ready for the new law
  • Protect your tenants (and avoid a fine)
  • Know your rights and responsibilities
  • Speak to your landlord

 

Hashtags

#COAlarmsSaveLives #CarbonMonoxide

#Renting #Accomodation #Property #Tenant #IndoorAirQuality #IAQ #HealthyHome #Legal #RentalProperty #Landlord #Housing #UKHousing

 

Key external accounts

English govt, Department for Levelling Up:

Twitter: @luhc https://twitter.com/luhc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luhcgovuk

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/luhcgovuk/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/luhcgovuk/

 

Barry Sheerman MP

Twitter: @BarrySheerman https://twitter.com/BarrySheerman

 

Eddie Hughes MP

Twitter: @EddieHughes4WN https://twitter.com/EddieHughes4WN

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EddieHughes4WN/

 

Marcus Jones MP – Minister of State for Housing since 7 July 2022

Twitter: @Marcus4Nuneaton https://twitter.com/Marcus4Nuneaton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarcusJones4Nuneaton

 

Citizens Advice

Twitter: @CitizensAdvice https://twitter.com/CitizensAdvice

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CitizensAdvice

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/citizens.advice

 

 

Week 3 All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group Summer campaign

Week 3: Carbon Monoxide Alarms Save Lives

 

For the third week of the campaign, we are going deeper into the alarms messaging, and informing people why they need to buy the right kind of alarm and get to know how to use it. The Alarms 1-page guide reviews key features to consider when choosing an alarm.

 

Some of the more intricate messages about alarms are detailed and can vary between products, in this instance we have suggested people read the manufacturers guide, which will usually be available online.

 

In addition to the statement from Baroness Finlay, I have attached a position guide image from HETAS, which may be useful to share if you think this would be relevant to your audience.

 

Thanks so much to everyone for making a huge noise about carbon monoxide alarms!

Let’s keep it up to make sure everyone hears our message!

 

The full assets for week 3 are now available for download: Download Campaign Asset Kit — Carbon Monoxide: Alarms Save Lives (coalarmssavelives.com)

 

Week 3: Getting the most out of your alarm

Assets (8)

  • Message from Baroness Finlay (attached to email)
  • Get to know your alarm – Read the manufacturers guide – Feed & Story
  • Carbon Monoxide Alarms – should be in every room that has a fuel burning appliance – Feed & Story
  • Going Away this summer? It’s important to have a carbon monoxide alarm with you
  • Alarms 1 page guide

 

Please link to specific alarms webpage About Carbon Monoxide Alarms — Carbon Monoxide: Alarms Save Lives (coalarmssavelives.com)

 

Sub-messages

Types of alarm vary – some are better than others. CE mark and EN50291 are signs of quality

Get to know your alarm and how to get the most out of it

  • Test the alarm regularly
  • Check the expiry date
  • Position correctly in the room

Always take an alarm when you travel

 

Call to Action

  • Buy the right alarm
  • Read the manual
  • Pack an alarm

 

Hashtags

#COAlarmsSaveLives #CarbonMonoxide

#PressToTest #HomeSafety

#SummerHoliday #PackAnAlarm #HolidayEssentials #FamilyHoliday #Vacation #Suitcase

 

Key external accounts

CoGDEM

Twitter: @CogdemCO COGDEM (@CogdemCO) / Twitter

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cogdem/

 

Clean Air London

Twitter: @CleanAirLondon https://twitter.com/CleanAirLondon

 

Aico

Twitter: @Aico_Limited Aico (@Aico_Limited) / Twitter

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aico-smoke-&-gas-protection/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AicoLimited/

 

FireBlitz & Firehawk

Twitter: @fireblitzuk FireBlitz & Firehawk (@fireblitzuk) / Twitter

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fireblitz-extinguisher-limited/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/fireblitz.firehawk/

 

FireAngel

Twitter: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cogdem/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FireAngelSafety/

Insta: https://www.facebook.com/FireAngelSafety/

 

Housing Wellbeing and Safety Taskforce

Twitter: @HSWTaskforce https://twitter.com/HSWTaskforce

 

HETAS

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hetas_uk

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hetas-ltd/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hetasuk

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/hetas_uk/

 

 

Statement of Support for CO Alarms to EN 50291

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations: Are you ready?

 

Independent, registered charity CO-Gas Safety supports parliamentary campaign on

carbon monoxide alarms

 

This year, the laws are changing for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in homes in the UK, meaning that many more domestic properties will be legally required to have such alarms.

 

To raise awareness of the new rules, CO-Gas Safety is delighted to support the Carbon Monoxide Alarms Save Lives campaign, which will run from 11 July to 28 August this year. The campaign is being supported by Britain’s four gas distribution networks: Wales & West Utilities, SGN, Northern Gas Networks, and Cadent. Each week there will be new digital resources to download via the campaign homepage.

 

The campaign will explain what carbon monoxide is, how to stay safe, and why households need to install carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, making alarms vital.  Homes need to have an alarm that can alert occupants to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide to protect them from serious harm or even death.

 

‘CO-Gas Safety has been lobbying for raised awareness and testing of Carbon Monoxide since its launch in 1995. We believed that CO alarms would save lives and managed to join the British Standards committee on CO alarms as soon as we could. We were delighted by the EN standard 50291. CO alarms to EN 50291 bought direct from the manufacturers or from reputable retailers (e.g. DIY stores/supermarkets) do save lives. Please be aware that CO alarms are no substitute for regular servicing by qualified people and chimney/flue cleaning. CO alarms, even to EN 50291 are not health monitors. Please buy one now, get it out of the box and get it working. Your life or that of your loved ones may well depend on it! Thank you.’

 

The change to the law follows years of campaigning by the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group, and others which CO-Gas Safety is proud to support.

 

Barry Sheerman MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group says:

 

“By making carbon monoxide alarms a legal requirement, governments are sending a strong message – carbon monoxide is seriously harmful. If you don’t have an alarm, you need to get one for your home as soon as possible.

 

“Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill. It can cause harm to our vital organs and is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and children. Please join our campaign to spread the word about carbon monoxide alarms this summer – and make sure your home is protected.”

 

You can get involved with the campaign too – check out the campaign homepage from 11 July 2022 or email laura.fatah@policyconnect.org.uk to sign up for the weekly campaign emails.

 

For help understanding these duties and regulations, or to seek legal advice, please contact Citizens Advice, who provide a free advice service for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

Notes for editors

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide can form when any carbon-based fuel is burnt. Typical sources include gas appliances, petrol engines, and solid fuel (e.g., fires and stoves). The NHS states that severe carbon monoxide poisoning causes around 60 accidental deaths in England and Wales every year. Exposure to carbon monoxide at sub-lethal levels causes common, non-specific symptoms, (e.g., headaches, nausea, dizziness), and therefore is thought to be under-reported.

 

 

The regulations for each nation in detail

 

Scotland

Since February 1st, 2022, all Scottish homes are required to have a carbon monoxide alarm in all rooms where there is a fixed combustion appliance (excluding an appliance used solely for cooking) or a flue. In rented properties, landlords are responsible for supplying the alarm. Carbon monoxide alarms must meet the relevant British Standards (EN 50291-1), and must have ‘a sealed battery for the duration of its lifespan’ to prevent tampering or the need for battery changes.

 

England

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 will come into force on October 1st, 2022, in England following debate in the Second Committee for Delegated Legislation on June 20th and approval in the House of Commons on June 21st. These changes will require carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in all rented accommodation and new build properties where there is a fixed combustion appliance, excluding gas cookers. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required when a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers) is first installed in any home. Both private and social sector landlords will have a duty to repair or replace alarms, once informed that they are faulty.

 

Wales

The Welsh Government recently announced that it will bring forward changes from December 2022 1st (delayed from July 15th, 2022) with the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, which under the regulations for Fitness for human habitation (FFHH) will require landlords to ensure working carbon monoxide detectors are fitted in their properties where there is any gas appliance, an oil-fired combustion appliance or a solid fuel burning combustion appliance.

 

Northern Ireland

Carbon monoxide alarms are a mandatory requirement for all homes where a new fossil fuel appliance is installed in Northern Ireland, after a change to The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 came into operation on 31 October 2012. The Private Tenancies Act, which requires carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in privately rented homes and places a duty on landlords to repair them, received Royal Assent on 27 April 2022.

 

About the All-Party Group

The All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG) is the leading forum for parliamentarians from both the Houses of Commons and Lords to work together to address carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Through its busy programme of events and research, the Group seeks to push the vital issue of carbon monoxide safety up the political agenda, to improve government policy, to support research and to raise public awareness of the threat posed by carbon monoxide. The All-Party Group is supported by the think tank Policy Connect and receives funding from the four Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) to carry out its work.

 

For more information, please email the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG), Laura Fatah at laura.fatah@polciyconnect.org.uk