Halton Housing Trust is leading the way in its fight to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Trust has joined forces with local campaigner Lynn Griffiths, who runs the Runcorn-based CO-Awareness Campaign, to lobby the Government to help eradicate the silent killer.
The Trust has a legal duty to ensure that an annual service and safety check is carried out on all gas appliances in its customers’ homes. In December, the Trust launched its own “Carbon Monoxide – the silent killer” campaign to contact 600 customers who had not given the Trust access to their homes so that the check could be carried out.
Campaign initiatives included sending out a gas safety squad to target the homes of these customers, putting up posters in Trust offices and other public buildings, issuing a gas safety leaflet, spreading the message on every Trust van and enlisting the support of the local media. As a result of this campaign, customers now recognise the benefit of co-operating in the annual check: now only 15 have still not given the inspectors access to their homes.
To demonstrate how seriously the Trust takes its responsibility, it also sent out a tough message recently when it took one of its customers to court to obtain its first gas injunction because they had repeatedly failed to allow the Trust’s gas safety team access to his home.
“The majority of the customers who had an out-of-date gas safety certificate have now responded very positively to our campaign,” said Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Halton Housing Trust.
“However, it is vital that our customers allow the gas inspectors into their home and are in possession of a valid gas safety certificate. We will continue to take further action on those who refuse us entry. This is because we care passionately about the safety and well being of our customers”
Recently the Trust joined Lynn Griffiths at a meeting with Health and Safety Minister Lord McKenzie to discuss measures the Government is taking in raising awareness of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide with the general public. Following the meeting, the Trust submitted several suggested changes to the legal system which would make it easier for landlords to safeguard their customers by enabling them to undertake essential repair works much quicker.
The Trust has also paid for an information leaflet produced by the CO-Awareness Campaign, which has been sent to every Trust customer.
Lynn Griffiths said: “I really appreciate the support I am getting from Halton Housing Trust and I am glad to see they are taking a responsible approach to dealing with gas safety.
“As part of my bid to raise awareness about the dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning I would like to see other landlords and housing associations join forces to discuss how they deal with the issue.”
You cannot see, smell or taste CO fumes. Symptoms of CO poisoning can include tiredness, drowsiness, headaches and breathlessness. In the worst situations, CO can kill without warning in just hours. Even in the absence of obvious signs that a gas appliance is not working properly, it could be emitting CO – so it is important that appliances are regularly checked and serviced by a CORGI-registered engineer.
During 2007/2008 Halton Housing Trust, the borough’s largest Registered Social Landlord, will be expected to carry out checks in all of its 6,230 properties. The next round of gas safety checks is now underway and the message is clear.
“Every customer must remember that having an annual service and safety check will protect them and their family from the potentially fatal dangers of faulty gas appliances. We urge all our customers to continue to work with us to ensure we safeguard the health of both themselves and their wider family” Nick Atkin added.
The Trust has also pledged to install carbon monoxide alarms in every one of its 6,230 homes by 2010 as part of its £85 million investment programme.