





j.forrest.mp@aph.gov.au          www.jforrest.com  60 Campbell Street, Swan Hill VIC 3585            ph 03 5032 4510          fax 03 5032 9407



Tuesday, 22 February 2011

CARBON MONOXIDE ALERT

The Nationals Federal Member for Mallee John Forrest has warned of the silent killer carbon monoxide  in homes, cars and caravans.

The issue was raised on Monday in Federal Parliament by Member for Murray Dr Sharman Stone who  is seeking nationally consistent legislation for safety checks on gas appliances in homes.

Mr Forrest is supporting the call for the installation of detectors and the implementation of a national  safety awareness program highlighting the dangers and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. This  follows a tragedy at Mooroopna in May last year when two young boys were found dead from carbon  monoxide poisoning.

“Carbon monoxide poisoning has been a priority of mine for a long time,” Mr Forrest said. This goes  back to my former life as a consulting engineer involved in building design. Any death is completely  unnecessary. But deaths are more appalling when they involve young people, the richest resource that  the nation has. I am particularly interested in supporting the Member for Murray because I am very  concerned about the lack of awareness about carbon monoxide. I support the other points in her  resolution about encouraging building control boards to look at this issue and encouraging the use of  detectors.

“Carbon monoxide is a very insidious gas. We hear a lot about carbon dioxide, which is relevant to the  discussion that occurs in regards to climate change. Carbon dioxide is the combination of a carbon atom  and two oxygen atoms. It is detectable. The thing about carbon monoxide, which is a carbon atom and  one oxygen atom, is that it is not detectable. That makes it very insidious.

Mr Forrest also urged people driving their motorcars to always drive with their window down, even if it is  only an inch or two.

“You will notice if you are driving along, particularly in the winter and you are trying to keep the vehicle  warm and you have the circulating air on warm, how drowsy one can become,” he said. That is the  subtle, dangerous impact of carbon monoxide poisoning. If that feeling comes over you, you will be  amazed how winding the window down and getting a sniff of good air how remarkably quickly one’s  awareness returns.”

Energy Safe Victoria has produced a brochure designed to make landlords aware of their  responsibilities.

“They have made some very strong comments about carbon monoxide poisoning in this brochure,” Mr  Forrest said. It says: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a threat where internal gas appliances are  misused, incorrectly installed or poorly maintained. CO poisoning can have symptoms similar to flu and  can be fatal.

“If people are not aware of what is happening to them, which is probably what happened with those two  youngsters, fatality can be imminent. I am particularly concerned about the use of mobile caravans and  cabins. If a person wants to use gas for heating, they should never go to sleep with the gas appliance  operating ………………………. never!

“I have seen incidents of that. I saw it happening in campervans when I was a young person  backpacking through Europe. People with gas appliances in their campervans kept them on at night  because it was chilly or icy outside. That is a no-no; an absolute no-no. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a  threat because the symptoms can be like flu. These include headaches, dizziness and nausea, which  we do not necessarily link with a high concentration of carbon monoxide,” Mr Forrest said.

Mr Forrest can be contacted on 0428 500 186.

