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| Students targeted in life saving gas safety campaign |
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| Date:
31/03/04 |
Author:
Press Office |
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Edinburgh University’s 20,000 strong student population is the focus of a potentially life-saving campaign, being spearheaded by Edinburgh South MP and Minister for Small Businesses and Construction, Nigel Griffiths.
Supported by CORGI and the Edinburgh Students Union, the initiative aims to raise awareness of the very real dangers of badly maintained or installed gas appliances in rented accommodation, which can result in either a gas escape or the emission of lethal carbon monoxide (CO).
The Minister believes the campaign could play a crucial role in helping to prevent some of the 30 deaths each year caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. He said: “We want to highlight the fact that landlords must ensure a gas safety check is undertaken by a CORGI-registered installer on all gas appliances in rental properties. CORGI does great work in raising awareness about gas safety, but I believe that MP’s can also play a valuable role. I have a long standing role in promoting gas safety and am pleased to have the opportunity to help promote awareness among students through my campaign.”
CORGI CEO Mike Thompson joined Mr Griffiths in Edinburgh recently to officially launch the campaign, by emailing 20,000 students on gas safety and asking them if they have an up-to-date gas safety certificate for their rented accommodation.
Commenting on the scheme, he said: “Students are a group who can be particularly at risk from poorly maintained gas appliances. This campaign will educate both landlords and students on the vital importance of gas safety, and will push the message that although gas is very safe when handled correctly, it can be lethal if an appliance is left to fall into disrepair or if someone is working with gas when they aren’t properly qualified.”
An extensive publicity campaign targeting Scottish media has promoted the initiative to residents and students across the city. Additional activities include a text message survey to gauge whether landlords are fulfilling their duties and distributing a gas safety leaflet containing key gas safety messages.
Backing for the venture also came from the All Party Parliamentary Gas safety Group. Founder and Chair Jon Trickett MP, said: “ Deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning are all the more tragic because they are entirely preventable. I firmly believe that one of the most effective ways of preventing them is by raising awareness amongst consumers about their rights and by making landlords aware of their legal responsibility to ensure that every gas appliance they own is checked for gas safety at least once a year.”
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Media contact; Lucie Dudley at CORGI on 0870 401 2254 or [email protected]
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