It was all very exciting reading about the planned events in England, Wales, Switzerland, Greenland and Tasmania – all events that were to honour Tom Hill, who tragically died of CO aged just 18. These outside activities were also to raise funds for CO-Gas Safety.

As a person who has campaigned & lobbied for safety for over 30 years, I admit I did find Sunday the 4th May somewhat worrying. But Jerry had organised it all perfectly and I was delighted to hear that everyone was safe.

What a brilliantly successful event!

See the fantastic pics at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573851523934

Jerry and I hope Alison and family and friends are all having a bit of a break as that sort of event is exhausting.

Thank you Jerry and Alison very much indeed for organising it. Over £4,500 has been raised for the charity!

We are very grateful indeed.

Stephanie

NEWS RELEASE

Raising Awareness of the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide                                                               

Contact:-           Jerry Hill

                             07716 449657  

                             jerry1hill@outlook.com                                                                         

https://gofund.me/0b8ae3ed

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573851523934&sk=about

Stephanie Trotter, OBE, President & Director CO-Gas Safety 

www.co-gassafety.co.uk

Email office@co-gassafety.co.uk Tel. Mob. 07803088688 Landline 01983 564516

Bereaved family raise over £4,000 for charity CO-Gas Safety

Tom Hill died aged 18 on holiday in Scotland in October 2015. He was killed when a faulty portable flueless gas fire released lethal levels of carbon monoxide into a bathroom. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless poisonous gas that can be released by faulty fuel burning stoves (wood, kerosene, natural gas, propane) and fuel burning heating systems (wood, oil, natural gas) and from blocked flues connected to these appliances. Tom’s death was avoidable, the gas fire was faulty and unsuitable for the room. There was a carbon monoxide alarm but when it sounded the wrong steps were taken.

To do something positive to celebrate Tom, a group of his family and friends are climbing Tryfan in North Wales to raise money for CO-Gas Safety -The Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety Society.

Tryfan is a 917 meter high mountain in the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia, Wales.

Tom Hill

Tom Hill was one of a kind, and he loved the outdoors and nature. He had just started at Stirling University where he was studying Aquaculture when he died. He was on holiday in Scotland. Tom’s death was preventable. We want to do something positive both to remember Tom, and to help prevent tragedies like this happening again.

Following Tom’s death, it took years for the case to come to court. Apart from the horror of the bereavement itself, the family was faced with a long battle to get the case to court, and significant costs for legal fees. Now that the end of the process is near, Tom’s family want to work to remember him by helping to improve gas safety.

What is happening?

A group of Tom’s family and friends are climbing Tryfan in North Wales on the 4th May 2025 to raise money for CO-Gas Safety-The Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety Society. Tryfan is a mountain in the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia, Wales. It is one of the mountains in the Glyderau group. It is  917 metres (3,010 feet) above sea level, and  is the fifteenth-highest mountain in Wales. We will be climbing the north ridge.

On the same day other family members who are abroad will be undertaking other mountain challenges:-

• Tom’s cousin Jess Hold will be climbing Le Dôle in Switzerland. Le Dôle is a 1,677m major focus point in the natural heritage of the Jura, as it is visible from the whole western part of Lake Geneva region.
• Tom’s cousin Matt Spenceley will be on a steep-skiing trip in East Greenland.
• Tom’s college friend Macauley Chapman lives in Australia. He’ll be climbing Cradle Mountain in Tasmania on the same day!!!

Who are we fundraising for?

Through Go Fund Me we have raised £4,100 from 114 donors.

CO-Gas Safety – The Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety Society https://www.co-gassafety.co.uk/ . CO-Gas Safety is an independent registered charity that works hard to raise awareness of carbon monoxide (CO) and to reduce deaths and injuries from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. The charity lobbies for changes, which will help to achieve this, and also helps and advises victims/survivors and families affected whenever they can. This charity is run almost entirely by volunteers and relies on donations.

After Tom’s accident the investigation was very slow. We contacted CO-Gas Safety and they gave us help and advice that really speeded things up. Our hope that is that through these donations, further deaths and life long injuries, including paralysis and brain damage can be prevented.

We believe that if things had been done differently Tom would still be alive. We will be donating all money raised to a charity that works to make gas safety a higher priority.

CO-Gas Safety Charity registration 1048370

Also a company limited by guarantee No 03084435

24 Dec 2024     NR24-004

Morco Products Ltd open flued water heaters – Important Safety Warning

The BSS is supporting Morco, with its warning to owners of boats that have Morco Primo 6 (MP6), Primo 11 (MP11), EUP6 and EUP11 LPG open-flued water heaters, sold between 2018 and 2023, to stop using the water heaters immediately and disconnect them from the gas supply.

Morco has issued the Important Safety Warning notice following the discovery that there is a risk of a gas leak in the water heaters, that could result in a fire.

Despite extensive independent investigations and tests, commissioned by Morco involving test houses and forensic expertise, the root cause of the issue has yet to be identified.  So, Morco took a safety-first approach, and issued a warning to stop using the water heater immediately and isolate the gas supply to the appliance.

This safety-first approach also means that any water heaters upgraded in a campaign earlier this year, are also caught by the warning and should not be used and have the gas supply isolated.

A Morco spokesperson said

‘If you have one of these gas water heaters installed including those that have had the previous safety upgrade, please contact us immediately so we can discuss the next steps.

‘Please do not attempt to check or test the appliance yourself’

Anyone with concerns about their Morco LPG open-flued water heater should go to the Morco website to check if their appliance is on the list. It includes a guide on how to find the model number and serial number, Morco’s guide.

If you have any queries in relation to this safety upgrade, contact Morco directly on 01482 325456 or at gaswaterheaters@morcoproducts.co.uk. 

The Boat Safety Scheme is reinforcing the message to act now. The importance for boat owners is linked to the nature of liquified petroleum gas (LPG), which is generally heavier than air.

If LPG leaks from an appliance, it flows down as strong-smelling, but invisible gas to the lower parts of the boat where it can be trapped and pool, creating an explosive gas cloud that could be ignited by any type of spark or naked flame.

If anyone smells gas, which has a concentrated stenching agent added to aid detection, they should turn off the gas supply at the cylinder and open all windows, hatches and doors as they evacuate the vessel. The boat shouldn’t be re-boarded until the smell has gone completely.

Morco’s Warning and advice also has implications for BSS Examinations on a boat with one of the affected water heaters installed. The BSS has published additional information on its website www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe-advice/known-recalls-safety-alerts/ to cover this subject.

– ENDS –

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Morco Products roots go back to a marine chandlery business founded over 200 years ago. And for the past seven decades it has been supplier of their own branded LPG heating and hot water solutions for over 70 years. (https://morcoproducts.co.uk/about-us/)

The BSS is a public safety initiative run as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The 17 navigation authorities that have adopted the Scheme, use it to help reduce the risks of fire, explosion and pollution on small craft, typically under 24m. This is done by promoting fire safety and pollution avoidance advice to help boat owners keep themselves and their crew safe as well as regular examination of fuel systems, gas systems, electrical systems and appliances. The BSS is responsible for the administration and supervision of the BSS Examination processes.

A BSS Certification has a life span of four years. Navigation authorities using the Scheme usually require BSS Certification on a boat at the time of licensing, registration, toll renewal or similar. The Certification is achieved when a boat is found to be compliant with all the BSS Requirements relevant for that boat. These can be freely downloaded or read on www.boatsafetyscheme.org. The compliance check, BSS Examination, is carried out by authorised and independent practitioners known as BSS Examiners.

CONTACT

BSS.Enquiries@boatsafetyscheme.org

BSS Communications Team

Boat Safety Scheme Ltd

Rob: 07710 175478 / Roxane: 07350 403567

www.boatsafetyscheme.org

Boat Safety Scheme  c/o National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH65 4FW

T: 0333 202 1000

E: bss.enquiries@boatsafetyscheme.org

W: boatsafetyscheme.org/contact-us

The Boat Safety Scheme Limited is a public safety initiative run as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales with company number 15501423, registered office address c/o National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port South Pier Road Ellesmere Port Cheshire CH65 4FW.

Please see https://www.co-gassafety.co.uk/resources/law-practice-prevention/

We would very much like to hear from you if you see this document, and even better, if you read it!

We welcome comments but please email us so we can respond. Thank you.

Stephanie Trotter, OBE

President & Director

CO-Gas Safety

Please also see the clip of Cathy and Jordan Foley’s appearance on BBC Breakfast last week here. They both did brilliantly well.

Gaelan Komen of Policy Connect tells us that Cathy’s appearance has already led to an increase in CO alarm sales, and that further distribution of the clip can help raise public awareness of CO safety.

Please see also Graphics

Videos

31 July 2024

NR24-003

Morco Products Ltd open flued LPG water heaters – critical safety upgrade alert

The BSS is supporting Morco, in its on-going campaign to find and fix potentially dangerous models of its LPG water heaters that may leak gas causing fires or explosions.

Following concerns that appliance test-point screws may not have been correctly tightened at the time of commissioning or servicing, Morco has issued a safety alert and is offering free upgrades for the affected models.

Morco’s concern is that un-rectified water heaters can potentially leak unburnt gas that could cause fires or explosions, that may result in burns and injuries.

What is the hazard?

Morco has identified a potential fire risk on their Primo 6 (MP6), Primo 11 (MP11), EUP6 and EUP11 LPG open flued water heaters. Gas leaking from an installation test-point could ignite and causing the plastic bezel and control knobs at the front of the water heater to catch fire and melt.

The models affected were sold between 2018 and 2023.

What to do if you think one of the water heaters may be installed on your boat.

Go to the Morco website to check if the appliance is one of the affected ones. It includes a guide on how to find the model number and serial number, Morco’s guide.

If confirmed as one needing an upgrade, then fill in a Safety Upgrade Form that will help Morco ratify the need to act and for them to organise an approved Gas Safe registered engineer to make the required safety upgrade to the water heater which will be free of charge.

Water heaters that have already had the safety upgrade should have a Morco branded yellow service notice sticker applied to the front face of the appliance including these words ‘Notice to commissioning engineer’ and a reference in the bottom left: Cod. 80000353 – ed.1

If you have any queries in relation to this safety upgrade, contact Morco directly on 01482 325456 or at gaswaterheaters@morcoproducts.co.uk. 

Morco stresses that if the LPG water heater is suspected to be leaking gas, the supply should be disconnected and Morco or a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer contacted straightaway.

The Boat Safety Scheme urges anyone with a Morco water heater to check their model and year against the very clear information on the Morco website and get in touch with Morco if they are at all unsure and need help.

If they spot one of the affected water heaters installed on a boat, we are asking BSS Examiners to have a conversation with their customers and ask whether it has had the free safety upgrade. If it hasn’t, the boat owner will be encouraged to get in contact with Morco.

The BSS has an information page on the Morco Safety Upgrade Campaign with additional information on how this matter may affect BSS Examinations for a boat with one of the affected water heaters installed www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe-advice/known-recalls-safety-alerts/

– ENDS –

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Morco Products roots go back to a marine chandlery business founded over 200 years ago. And for the past seven decades it has been supplier of their own branded LPG heating and hot water solutions for over 70 years. (https://morcoproducts.co.uk/about-us/)

The BSS is a public safety initiative run as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The 17 navigation authorities that have adopted the Scheme, use it to help reduce the risks of fire, explosion and pollution on small craft, typically under 24m. This is done by promoting fire safety and pollution avoidance advice to help boat owners keep themselves and their crew safe as well as regular examination of fuel systems, gas systems, electrical systems and appliances. The BSS is responsible for the administration and supervision of the BSS Examination processes.

A BSS Certification has a life span of four years. Navigation authorities using the Scheme usually require BSS Certification on a boat at the time of licensing, registration, toll renewal or similar. The Certification is achieved when a boat is found to be compliant with all the BSS Requirements relevant for that boat. These can be freely downloaded or read on www.boatsafetyscheme.org. The compliance check, BSS Examination, is carried out by authorised and independent practitioners known as BSS Examiners.

CONTACT

BSS.Enquiries@boatsafetyscheme.org

Hudson Foley Memorial Campaign for Carbon Monoxide Travel Safety

Cathy, Hudson’s mother and  Jordan, Hudson’s brother have appeared on BBC breakfast (31.07.24 at around 8.21). They brilliantly outlined Hudson’s life, his joys and his tragic avoidable death. Their aim is to let everyone know how to avoid this happening to anyone else.

Stephanie Boyle from the Safer Tourism Foundation also appeared.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0021lr1/breakfast-31072024 at 1.36.

Please visit https://www.safertourism.org.uk/pack-co-safe to learn more about Hudson and how to prevent similar deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Hudson’s mother, Cathy is bravely heading this warning campaign, assisted by the All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group of MPs (APPCOG) and the Safer Tourism Foundation.

CO-Gas Safety has put her in touch with these organisations and supports her and her family. CO-Gas Safety thanks the family for their vital awareness raising work.

However, this work should not be left to grieving families. Please write to your member of Parliament about this. If you don’t know who your MP is please visit https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

CO-Gas Safety calls for:

1. CO alarms to BS EN 50291 to be on sale at all air, seaports and also major railway stations.
2. A public warning campaign about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) and how to prevent it.
3. For all ‘gap year’ companies that provide paid for advice to young travelers to make it clear that a CO alarm to BS EN 50291 and information about CO are more important than such things as expensive hiking boots and rucksacks etc. CO alarms must be on all kit lists.
4. Advice on insurance including repatriation. In the past, CO-Gas Safety has asked Ministers in the Foreign Office to either make such insurance compulsory or provide it as part of the passport fee, where it is not purchased. The motor insurance bureau provides this for uninsured drivers.
5. Awareness that CO deaths and injuries don’t just happen abroad. Please watch our one minute film about Sue who had carbon monoxide poisoning – could save your life or the life of someone you love https://www.co-gassafety.co.uk/one-survivors-story/
6. Testing for CO whenever practicable, in the UK particularly by the gas emergency service which at the moment does not have a legal duty to do this.

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/camping-stoves-recalled-over-risk-29400295

See https://registeredgasengineer.co.uk/technical/co-alarm-rules-for-properties-across-the-uk/