Plumb Center says: stop the needless tragedies

ROYAL LEAMINGTON SPA, U.K. - Sept. 8, 2014 - PRLog -- Seven-year-old Hannah, and four-year-old Petra, will never meet their fun-loving uncle Bob; just two more lives affected by accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

The cold statistics say 40 people die in England and Wales each year from CO poisoning – but this takes no account of the pain and suffering of the countless loved ones left behind.

Bob Schenker, an engineer from Peterborough, was just 31-year-old when a botched repair job blocked his chimney, and allowed poisonous CO to leak into his home in 2006.

The builder responsible, David Johnson, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to three and a half years in prison – reduced to two and a half on appeal, ironically during carbon monoxide awareness week.

Plumb Center and leading manufacturer Honeywell are spearheading a campaign to make CO alarms compulsory in England and Wales with any carbon-burning appliance installation – it’s already law in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Every voice counts so pleasesign the government e-petition

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/64486

The campaign has already won widespread support within the heating industry, now the consumer is being targeted.

But Bob’s girlfriend Vikki Courtman, his parents Brian and Ilse, and his brother Max, who is Hannah and Petra’s dad, are all suffering a life sentence.

“Since Bob’s death, both Vicky and I have done whatever we can to raise awareness of CO,” said Max.

“He was told it was safe to turn his boiler on, but had started complaining of headaches. With hindsight he had classic symptoms of CO poisoning. He went to bed because he was feeling ill, and didn’t wake up.

“Bob’s death was preventable and we need people to sit up at take notice of this deadly threat.

“It costs no more than a take-away pizza to buy a CO alarm, and who wouldn’t spend that to make their family safe? Annual servicing is critical and installers should include it in the cost of an installation. But an alarm is a vital second line of defence.

“We’ll do whatever we can to support Plumb Center’s Make it Law campaign. Many organisations are doing a great job raising awareness, but we need to speak with one voice because together we have more chance of being heard.

“My two little girls won’t have the joy of spending time with Bob, or playing with their cousins – isn’t it time we put a stop to these needless deaths?”