HALTON Housing Trust is backing a Runcorn mum’s campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

The Trust has recently demonstrated its ongoing support for Lynn Griffiths, founder and president of charity CO-Awareness, by taking major steps to protect customers in its 6,200 homes from carbon monoxide poisoning.

“We want to make sure we are doing more than just meeting the letter of the law,” said Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Halton Housing Trust.

“It’s about taking your legal and moral responsibilities seriously as carbon monoxide poisoning affects people’s lives. In some cases those being affected are some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“We are proud to be entering our fourth year as being an active supporter of the CO-Awareness campaign. Working with Lynn we have been able to spread her message more widely.”

The Trust has installing hard-wired, carbon monoxide alarms in each of its homes and regularly holds awareness campaigns for its customers.  It has also been backing Lynn’s cause by funding the printing of campaign materials and working with its contractors to jointly donate two lifesaving carbon monoxide RAD 57 monitors at Halton and Alder Hey hospitals. 

As part of the recent National CO Awareness Week, Nick also spoke at the North West homecoming event in Manchester. 

The Trust is pressing for changes to the law to ensure other landlords were treating gas safety seriously and able to fulfil their duties in some cases via enhanced legal powers being made available to gain access to homes.

Nick added: “We want to continue to work with Lynn in lobbying Government for changes to the legal framework that landlords currently work within. We want to put legal measures in place to enable landlords, such as the Trust, to fully carry out their responsibilities.  This builds upon our recent support for the ‘Safe as Houses’ Campaign being run across the housing sector.”

Lynn, whose family have all suffered from the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, says the Trust has been invaluable in helping people in Halton become aware of her charity’s work.

The mother-of-four said: “I would like to thank Halton Housing Trust for all their support.

“They have helped us get our message out to other landlords and housing associations, which has been vital for the charity.”