10:00am Monday 1st December 2008
A NINETY-year-old woman was given oxygen therapy after suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Two fire crews from Clacton were sent to the property in Park Square West, Jaywick, at 9am on Friday after her alarm went off.
The pensioner was given oxygen by fire officers, before receiving further care from paramedics at the scene.
Gas experts later dealt with the leak at her home.
MUMS are hoping to visit schools to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Helen Gallagher and Jackie Smith said they think it is important to teach young people about the odourless gas, which can kill if left undetected.
Ms Gallagher, of Manor Road, Dovercourt, had to rush her three children to hospital after discovering they had carbon monoxide poisoning.
She said: “It was very scary – I just keep thinking that if it had been a week down the line, we would have been dead.
“I have every intention of trying to do something to help support the CO Gas Safety awareness charity – it is a serious issue.
“People need to be aware of it and I think the best age to target is when they are young – they will go home and tell their parents.
“Some other family might not be so fortunate. If I can make a change that will have a direct impact on anybody I will be happy.”
She hopes to try and get into the schools to talk to children about carbon monoxide in the new year.
Mother-of-two Jackie Smith, of Langley Close, Dovercourt, said she too wants to help teach more people about the dangers of the gas after she moved out of her home to have it tested.
She said: “We had carbon monoxide and other gases coming into our house – we are still very worried.
“People need to know more about this – it is a silent killer.”
Stephanie Trotter, of CO Gas Safety, said the campaign was in need of people like Mrs Smith and Ms Gallagher, who have their own experiences, to go into schools and raise awareness.
She said: “I’m absolutley thrilled, it would be great to get people out and raising awareness.”
For more information about the charity and carbon monoxide visit the CO Gas Safety website on co-gassafety.co.uk
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