CO-Gas Safety joins with HolidayTravelWatch in again promoting safe use of all fuel burning devices, be that in a holiday or domestic setting. The Organisations also call upon Industry and Government to reveal all information concerning the by-products of combusted fuel and to create a Public Information & Regulatory regime that is fair, robust and at least raises awareness of and ideally protects Consumers from the scourge of CO+ (Carbon Monoxide & other Toxins)!
Along with other Campaigners, both Organisations jointly wrote to the Cabinet Office on the 21 February 2014, requesting that they respond to the questions posed by HolidayTravelWatch on 31 October 2012.
The questions posed were based upon the ‘new’ policy created by the Government/Cabinet Office on the creation of Public Information Films.
The questions were designed to understand that process and thereby create the conditions where an effective Public Information Film Campaign could be created, to warn the Public of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide.
Both Organisations’ note the recent comments of The Baroness Finlay (IGEM Gi Journal – May 2014), whereby she pointed to the deficiencies in funding Public Information but apparently stated that:
“Yes, there needs to be funding for public awareness. Public awareness is simple and simple messages are what is needed. Speed kills, etc.”
It is now 623 Days since the first letter was sent by HolidayTravelWatch to the Cabinet Office and no logical or comprehensive response has been provided to the questions asked!
Frank Brehany, the Consumer Director for HolidayTravelWatch states:
“By any measure, there is a clear democratic deficit emanating from the Cabinet Office through their lack of any detailed response or acknowledgement; frankly, 623 Days is an obscene amount of time to wait to hear how Government’s Policy on Public Information Films is being implemented!”
He adds:
“This week we have heard from UK based holidaymakers about the shocking state of a gas supply into a caravan; but for their strong observational skills, I dread to think how their holiday could have ended!”
He concludes:
“The Public deserve better protection and they certainly need better information; we call for a full and comprehensive response to our original questions and as requested, that the Minister meets with all the Campaigners to hear their concerns on this important Public Information issue – further delay is no longer an option!”
Stephanie Trotter OBE, The President of CO-Gas Safety states:
“When CO-Gas Safety started in 1995 I talked to victims and their families. The overwhelming comment was ‘I didn’t even know about CO so how could we have protected ourselves?’ This is still the case almost 20 years later about CO+. Why do Government and the wealthy fuel industry both refuse to put on or pay for prime time TV warnings about CO+ and other gas dangers? There are many Public Information Films about things we all know are dangerous such as smoking, drinking & driving and fire. Yet CO+ is a hidden danger. Less than 2% of CO can kill in between one and three minutes. As far as we know there have been no calls for Public Information Films in Parliament by members of the All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group – why not?’