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COUNCILS FAIL TO PROTECT TENANTS FROM DEADLY Carbon monoxide
THE UK’s
biggest landlord is failing to protect vulnerable tenants according
to a new ICM research Lloydspharmacy. The research found that
28% of council residents claim that their Local Authority landlord
has not serviced their boiler in the last 12 months. Furthermore, an
estimated 59% of these properties are not fitted with a CO monitor;
the lowest penetration of any housing tenure.
Around 6 million people in the UK – or 11% of the population - rent
properties from their Local Authority. Lloydspharmacy is calling on
the Government to make it mandatory for CO monitors to be fitted to
all rental properties, including its own Local Authority properties.
The research also found that almost half of all people renting from
the council admit that they didn’t know that an orange flame on a
gas appliance may signify a possible carbon monoxide leak – the
highest of the 5 different housing tenure groups (privately owned,
privately rented, council-rented and rented from a housing
association).
Chris Frost, Head of Medicines at Lloydspharmacy commented:-
“Milder cases of carbon monoxide leakage within the home can cause
symptoms such as nausea, tiredness, and headaches which are easily
mistaken for flu. These symptoms are particularly common at the
onset of winter so it’s very easy for people to miss the signs of
carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide alarms are becoming more
affordable. We’ve introduced the cheapest electronic monitor on the
market £12.99 to make these accessible for everyone.”
The research found that the average boiler in a council home is
estimated to be around 8 years old – however the real figure could
be significantly higher as a large proportion of people (18%) do not
know the age of their boiler. According to Lloydspharmacy the
majority of old boilers in the UK are constructed with an open flue
which can result in CO leaks when windy weather causes a downward
draft.
The CO-Gas Safety charity has also backed Lloydspharmacy in its
campaign to improve the safety of council-owned properties.
Stephanie Trotter, President of the charity commented:- “Our
figures show that around 30 people die and a further 300 suffer CO
poisoning in the UK every year, however we consider that this is the
tip of the iceberg. The tragedy is that all this suffering is
completely avoidable. Carbon Monoxide is colourless and odourless
which means that it cannot be sensed by human senses. As the UK’s
biggest landlord, our councils have a duty of care to protect
residents We can’t stress just how important it is for
households to have their boilers serviced every year and to fit a
carbon monoxide monitor. Lives depend on this.”
Lloydspharmacy is currently writing to councils, housing
associations and businesses offering heavily discounted (from
standard RRP) electronic monitors and further discounts for bulk
orders.
Carbon monoxide poisoning levels
Below 50ppm SAFE
Between 50 and 100ppm
Exposure of an 8 hour period will induce flu-like symptoms such as
headaches, sore eyes and a runny nose
Between 100 and 300
ppm Over just a few hours exposure will result in dizziness,
drowsiness and vomiting
Above 300 ppm This
will result in unconsciousness, brain damage and death
Source:- Carbonmonoxidekills.co.uk
* ICM Research carried out:- CATI Fieldwork 25 January to 27
January 2008 Carbon Monoxide case studies
Lloydspharmacy is able to supply details and personal accounts of
those affected by carbon monoxide poisoning. In one instance a
customer presented at a Lloydspharmacy for a carbon monoxide breath
test, which is standard practice for those on a Smoking Cessation
programme. The customer found was found to have high levels of
carbon monoxide in his breath, despite having quit smoking. It
transpired that he was suffering carbon monoxide poisoning from a
faulty boiler. |
SOUTHPORT WINS SILVER AT RHS BRITAIN IN BLOOM AWARDS
SOUTHPORT
was presented with a Silver Award in the RHS Britain in Bloom
campaign, the largest horticultural competition in Europe. The
awards ceremony, attended by over 450 gardening enthusiasts and
community champions, was held on the 24 September 2008 at Chester
Race Course, with special guest, TV gardener Chris Beardshaw,
presenting the prizes.
RHS Britain in Bloom, supported by Shredded Wheat, presented 69
finalist communities, selected from over 1,000 competitors, with
awards of Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze. The 69
finalists were judged during the summer by RHS judges who travelled
the length and breadth of the UK using every conceivable form of
public transport available. Each entrant was judged on their floral
displays, permanent landscaping, sustainable development,
environmental initiatives, public awareness and community
participation.
RHS judges Jeff Bates and Jim Knight were impressed with:-
► Gardens on Selworthy Road, balcony planting at Grosvenor Road,
Westholme Court retirement flats – just some of many attractive
floral gardens viewed
► Bedding displays on
the Promenade and in Botanic Gardens, where we were particularly
impressed by the banks of Canna and the use of the ‘annual’ Sweet
William.
► Baskets at the Auberge Cafe, Marc Francis Jewellers, Hodge Halsall Solicitors
floral gardens were all attractive; there were also some sponsored
baskets on Lord Street
► Scarisbrick Hotel,
the Windmill and Fishermans Rest pubs all had good floral displays
► We were also
pleased to see the rainbow carpet bed designed by Jessica Williams
as part of the school floral bed competition
Special RHS Britain in Bloom Discretionary Awards were also given to
13 entries that demonstrated excellence in a particular area. Each
year a theme is selected for the campaign and a special
discretionary award is given the entrant who best embodies the theme
in their activities. The 2008 theme was Local Roots and the award
went to the community that best encouraged activities and links
between their unique local history or cultural diversity. 2 new
discretionary awards introduced this year were the RHS Britain in
Bloom Young People’s Award and the Unannounced Judging Award. The
young people’s award encourages finalists to actively engage
participations from young people in the community. The Unannounced
Judging Award is for performing best during the spring unannounced
judging.
Roger Burnett Chair of the National Britain in Bloom Judging panel
said:- "2008 has once again proved that the Britain in Bloom
campaign recognises all that is great about Britain. Despite the
poor summer weather the finalists proved beyond doubt just what can
be achieved when communities work together.
Britain in Bloom has, in the past, been seen as a floral
competition, judged on the quality and quantity of hanging baskets
and bedding plants.
However with the recent shift towards
sustainable planting and environmental responsibility, we are seeing
fantastic innovation not only in style of planting, but in the choice
of plants used.”
RHS Director-General Inga Grimsey said:- “Each year we are
delighted by the entrants’ enthusiasm for Britain in Bloom and their
commitment to improve local environments through creative and
sustainable planting.
Britain in Bloom clearly illustrates that
despite reports of rising crime and social indifference, there are
thousands of communities working to create safe, inclusive, positive
environments for all to enjoy.”
For more information on RHS Britain in Bloom, which has been running
for over 40 years and aspires to make communities healthier, greener
and more socially responsible, visit
www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom.
Email our news room via
news24@southportreporter.com
with your views on this latest award to be given to Southport.
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