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Castle Point MP spells out mobile poisoning danger
CASTLE Point MP Bob Spink has warned mobile home owners about carbon monoxide poisoning dangers.
Dr Spink was in Parliament to hear Derbyshire Labour MP Tom Levitt tell MPs of a 15-year-old constituent who died with a friend after schools had been closed by heavy snow.
The youngsters had gone to a friend's home and suffered carbon monoxide poisoning because of a faulty valve on a boiler.
Dr Spink said: "Our hearts go out to him and his constituents.
"I have in my constituency arguably the best, and certainly the largest, mobile home park site in the country, on Canvey. Park homes and caravan owners need to be especially vigilant about carbon monoxide.
"It is vital appliances are properly serviced and caravan owners purchase an audible carbon monoxide alarm to act as a second line of defence against poisoning."
Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic, colourless, odourless gas. It is produced by the combustion of fuel in poorly ventilated areas.
Around 200 cases of such poisoning are identified every year, but many others go undiagnosed, because doctors do not routinely check for carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness, tiredness and flu-like symptoms.
In more serious cases, palpitations, chest pain, collapse, unconsciousness and death can follow Dr Spink called for monitors to be routinely installed in caravans and for smoke alarms to be phased out in favour of combined smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Sent: 11/01/2008
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