A SILENT killer lurks in homes throughout Ludlow and south Shropshire.

Carbon monoxide kills without warning and Ludlow MP Philip Dunne is urging people to be vigilant.

It was the cause of the tragic death of a teenage girl at a campsite near Ludlow campsite.

According to research half the population in the UK are at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning and just four in ten gas boilers in the country have been serviced in the past year.

Carbon monoxide has no smell, colour or taste and the only way for people to protect themselves is by installing an audible alarm. The deadly gas can be produced by any fuel-burning appliance – such as a boiler and cooker- or an open fire which is faulty or doesn’t have adequate ventilation.  

“Carbon Monoxide kills by stealth as people can’t see, smell or taste it,” said Philip Dunne. Around 40 people die in Britain every year from CO poisoning. Tragically, 14 year old Hannah Thomas-Jones lost her life due to carbon monoxide poisoning at a local campsite just a few years ago.

“Two simple steps can save your life. Fit and maintain an audible CO alarm, and have your fuel burning appliances serviced regularly by a gas safety registered engineer.”