Death highlights need for barbecue labelling

I WAS very sad to read about the death of Nicholas Holmes in May through carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from a disposable barbecue.

Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident; this year has seen a stark increase in deaths and injuries of campers from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by bringing barbecues inside their tents, caravans and vehicles.

One problem is that the ‘Do not use indoors’ warning standard on disposable barbecues fail to highlight the fatal risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when placed in poorly ventilated spaces and few people realise that it is after barbecues are extinguished that they emit the most fumes.

That is why I and a cross party group of MPs and MEPs have been working with the British Standards Institute to get changes in the warning labels on barbecues and similar products.

The revision of the labelling standard is now being discussed at the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) where it is soon due to be harmonised throughout Europe.

The aim is that by improving and standardising this safety information and raising awareness of this issue across Europe we can significantly reduce the number of unnecessary deaths and 
serious injuries caused by 
carbon monoxide poisoning each year.