North East MSP and Shadow Minister for Public Health, Dr Nanette Milne has pledged her support for a campaign to help raise and renew awareness of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
The CO-Awareness charity was founded in 2005 by a woman who was poisoned in her home for over a decade. Lynn Griffiths established the charity to promote education of the dangers of CO poisoning, and aims to encourage people to make sure they are protected against it, as well as support those poisoned by carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is the most common poison in the UK today, and its effects are devastating. Exposure to it can damage organs including the brain, eyes, heart, lungs and kidneys. It can also cause permanent brain damage by starving the blood of oxygen, and is often dubbed the ‘silent killer’ as in most cases of accidental poisoning victims don’t realise that carbon monoxide is being produced and building up in the air they are breathing.
Dr Nanette Milne said she hoped that constituents throughout the region would make sure they were protected against CO poisoning .
Dr Nanette Milne, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East said:
“Audible CO alarms can be bought from most supermarkets and hardware stores and they don’t cost much. We all owe it to our families, friends and neighbours to ensure they are protected. I hope as many people as possible will take action to protect their health and safety, and by following the advice of the charity and getting a CO alarm fitted, more lives could be saved.”