A CAMPAIGN run by Halton Housing Trust to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning has scooped a prestigious award in the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) North West Pride Awards.

The strategy for the “Gas safety: the “silent killer” campaign” was developed and implemented by Sale-based IPB Communications, Halton Housing Trust’s PR and communications partner, and scooped a Gold Award in the Low Budget category.

Halton Housing Trust is a social landlord, with more than 6,000 properties in Runcorn and Widnes. It has a legal duty to carry out annual gas appliance safety checks in all properties, and issue CP12 gas safety certificates following inspection. At the end of 2006, however, there were 600 checks outstanding – due to a failure by these customers to grant access to their homes. This was exposing the occupants to the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

IPB was asked to deliver a short, sharp campaign to raise general awareness of the importance of gas safety, and to target non-compliers.

The campaign was launched in mid-December, and ran until the end of January 2007. As a direct result of the campaign, over 580 gas safety inspections were carried out, leaving just a handful of tenants without an up-to-date gas safety certificate. The Trust has been taken these tenants to court, to ensure compliance.

Commenting on the campaign CIPR judges said: “An important message, delivered through a well thought through campaign. Good integrated tactics, great results which meet all the objectives and followed through with a great campaign.”

Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Halton Housing Trust, said: “The campaign was a fantastic success. It generated a very positive response from the vast majority of our customers, ensuring that their homes are properly protected.

“IPB made the most of a modest budget by devising a focused strategy and implementing it with great professionalism. We’ve been extremely impressed with the results.”

The Trust’s campaign has also led to a partnership with the Runcorn-based CO-Awareness Campaign. This support group helps victims of carbon monoxide poisoning and is run by Lynn Griffiths, a local woman whose family has suffered the affects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Tony Ingham, Chief Executive of IPB Communications, said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with Halton Housing Trust on such a successful campaign.”