Cases of carbon monoxide poisoning up 48% in Merseyside

CASES of suspected carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning have increased significantly, rising by 48% in Merseyside over the past 5 years a report by campaign group Project SHOUT has revealed. Data from the UK Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) shows that incidences have risen steadily since 2014 with the FRS usually 1 of the 1st emergency services on the scene in the event of a CO leak. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is produced when fuel doesn't burn properly, usually from badly fitted or poorly maintained appliances. Common sources of CO are gas and oil boilers, gas hobs and fires, log burners, open fires and BBQ's.

Zoe Hadley, Campaign Director for Project Shout said:- "You can't see, smell or taste carbon monoxide, which is why it is known as the silent killer. The only way to protect you and your family is to get a carbon monoxide alarm."

Common symptoms include:- dizziness, tiredness, headaches, nausea and generally feeling unwell. CO poisoning is often mistaken for something else such as a hangover, a common cold and the flu. The elderly and the very young are particularly vulnerable.

Zoe continues:- "Make sure your gas appliances are installed and serviced regularly by a qualified GAS SAFE registered engineer, test your alarm, and know what to do if it goes off."

Approximately 50 people in the UK die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning and thousands more are treated in Hospital. For more information, visit:- ProjectShout.Com.

Liverpool gears up for major cab and Taxi conference

LIVERPOOL City Council's Licensing Team is preparing to take centre stage as the host of a major Taxi and Private Hire trade awareness day which will bring some of the trade's biggest players to the City.  On Tuesday, 17 September 2019, drivers, industry experts, vehicle manufacturers and Licensing Officers will converge on the Liverpool Community Transport Headquarters on Luton Street, for the latest Taxi and Private Hire trade awareness day. A total of 21 exhibition stands have been confirmed and more than 1,000 people are expected to attend.

There will be a host of displays from manufacturers, cab companies and the Council's own licensing team which will cover all aspects of Taxi and private hire licensing and vehicle safety. Displays will include a stand from the:- London Electric Vehicle Company, Mercedes, Kia / Hyundai, Voyager and Car 'n' Cab Care who will be showcasing the latest state of the art ultra green vehicles. There will also be advice and information about how to apply for a Taxi Licencel, Taxi Enforcement, training, safeguarding and the latest issues affecting the industry.

In recent months the Licensing Team has launched a number of new initiatives, such as introducing:- card payments for Hackney Carriages that will make travelling around the City even easier. The awareness day is aimed specifically at the City's drivers and Taxi firms, but the City Council team says drivers from other areas are more than welcome to attend.

Those drivers attending the event, which runs from 10am to 2pm, have the opportunity to win a life changing prize. The licensing department has teamed up with Merseyside vehicle suppliers Car 'n' Cab Care to offer some great prizes. 1 lucky driver who enters the raffle draw will have the chance to win any vehicle, up to the value of ₤19,000 from Car 'n' Cab Care. Whilst 2 more winners will receive runners up prizes of ₤2,000 and ₤1,000 off new vehicles bought through the company. The draw will take place at 2.15pm on the day and the driver must be in attendance to claim the prize. Complimentary gifts will also be on offer throughout the day.

Everyone who attends the event will be a winner, because they will be able to get the latest information about the trade, new technology, expert advice, from Liverpool City Council Officers and mechanics and much more.  The awareness day follows on from a previous successful event earlier this year and Licensing Officers now hope it will become a regular event.

Liverpool City Council's City Manager Kevin Johnson, said:- "This event is a real coup for the City and cements our place as 1 of the country's leading Local Authority areas for the Taxi and Private Hire trade. We are committed to working with the Taxi drivers and operators in the City to promote the trade as a great way to travel and to make it as safe and enjoyable as possible for members of the public.  We are lucky to have been sponsored by Car 'n' Cab Care who have offered such an amazing prize, a brand new vehicle which we believe has the potential to change somebody's life. We would urge all drivers to come along and see what's on offer on the day, it will be well worth it. There will be a full range of electric / hybrid and diesel technology vehicles to test drive, both Hackney Carriages and Private Hire vehicles."

Shaun Marnell, who is the owner of Car 'n' Cab Care, said:- "This is a brilliant event and 1 that we really wanted to get involved with. The City Council does a great job in working with the trade and it's really important that we all get together to share our knowledge and talk about the issues that are affecting the trade. We think that an event such as this really could put the Liverpool Taxi trade on the map and we are all looking forward to the event.  As a company we want to promote the way the industry is changing to become more eco friendly, so giving away this prize to spend on a new clean vehicle seemed like the obvious thing to do."