Carbon Monoxide Awareness week (17th -23rd November)

2.42.15pm GMT Wed 26th Nov 2008

Lucy Hurds, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, North Herefordshire is supporting this cause because of personal experience of the effects.

"At the age of 14, I was living in Ross-on-Wye with my parents and three brothers. We had had some renovation work done on our house and as winter approached we were happy to settle in our comfy living room in front of our new gas fire. My parents, two younger brothers and I all started to feel ill, drowsy and sick and thought we had some sort of bug. We were all in the same state and just tried to keep wrapped up and warm by the fire. Nobody realised that it was anything more serious.

My older brother returned for the holidays from university and finding us all ill called the doctor. Only then did we find that the real problem was carbon monoxide poisoning and our gas fire was the culprit. Although it was new it had been badly fitted and was leaking fumes back into the house. We were lucky and lived to tell the tale. Many others are not so lucky.

When I was asked to help promote Carbon Monoxide Awareness week (17th -23rd November) I obviously felt that this was something I should be involved in" said Lucy.

Through the PCT, leaflets have been sent to all doctors surgeries in the County warning of the symptoms and many local traders have agreed to display posters and hand out leaflets.

"I have included the local traders as buying an alarm is an important way to stay safe as the gas has no smell or taste and in large quantities can easily prove fatal.

I will be attending the national launch of this campaign in The House of Lords on Monday 17th November and hope by making people aware of the risks and symptoms we can prevent further damage to peoples health and any further tragic deaths."