Loading...
A not-for-profit organisation
committed to injured people
A not-for-profit organisation
committed to injured people

Lawyers back call for compulsory alarms to detect killer gas

11 Sep 2014
APIL news

All rental properties and newly-built homes should have carbon monoxide alarms installed to prevent unnecessary deaths,say lawyers.

Not-for-profit safety campaign group the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) is backing a Bill from High Peak MP Andrew Bingham which would make the alarms compulsory.The Household Safety (Carbon Monoxide Detectors) Bill is due to be debated in the House of Commons on Friday (12 September) ahead of Gas Safety Week (15-21 September).

“We hear of some tragic cases where people have suffered brain injuries, or even died, because of poisonous carbon monoxide from faulty gas appliances circulating in homes undetected,” said APIL president John Spencer.

“You cannot see or smell carbon monoxide. An alarm is your only chance of knowing it is there before it is too late.

“Landlords already have a legal duty to have gas appliances maintained regularly. Mr Bingham is quite right that the additional safeguard in the form of an alarm would be worthwhile,” Mr Spencer went on.

There are around 40 needless deaths a year from carbon monoxide poisoning in England and Wales*.

Gas Safety Week is co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining gas appliances.

The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, chest pain, vomiting, dizziness,drowsiness, distorted vision, breathlessness and stomach pain.

“As we head towards winter, it would be easy to mistake the start of carbon monoxide poisoning for the flu,” said Mr Spencer.

“A carbon monoxide alarm in the home is just as necessary as a smoke alarm”.

-ends-

Notes to editors:

  • APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) is a not-for-profit organisation whose members are dedicated to campaigning for improvements in the law to help people who are injured or become ill through no fault of their own.
  • For more information contact APIL's press and communications officers Jane Hartwell on t: 0115 943 5416, m: 07808 768623, e: [email protected], or Tim Carter t: 0115 943 5409, e: [email protected].
  • Visit the association's website at www.apil.org.uk.
  • •Follow @APIL on Twitter: www.twitter.com/APIL.

Past press releases

More past press releases

Head of Campaigns and Communications
Lorraine Gwinnutt
0115 943 5400
[email protected]

Communications Manager
Jane Hartwell
0115 943 5416
[email protected]

Press and Communications Officer
Julie Crouch
0115 943 5408
[email protected]

Communications Assistant
Zach Wheelhouse Steel
0115 943 5431
[email protected]