Creative kids from across the area are being urged by TV presenter Rebecca Keatley and Wales & West Utilities to enter a national competition to come up with something creative that raises awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) – known as the ‘silent killer’ because you can’t see it, smell it or taste it.
The gas emergency and pipeline service, which runs the annual competition in their region, has teamed up with presenter, Rebecca, to raise awareness of the dangers of CO poisoning. They are urging youngsters in Key Stages 1 and 2 (ages 5 to 11), to put their artistic skills to good use and produce an eye-catching poster, poem, film or song, which is both informative and accurate, and warns of the dangers of CO poisoning and how to avoid them.
Presenter Rebecca said:
“Children of this age have an abundance of creativity and we’re urging them to use their talents to have some fun in designing something that warns of the dangers carbon monoxide poses and help spread the vitally important safety message to their loved ones.
“There are some very talented children in the South West of England and with some fantastic prizes to be won I’d urge young people to get involved!”
Wales & West Utilities will judge entries and pick four area winners – two from Key Stage 1 and 2 in both Wales and south west England – who will personally receive £150 and £300 for their school / organisation (which can include uniformed organisations such as Cubs or Brownies). The regional winners will go forward to a national final in June 2018 where they have a chance to win a further £300 for themselves and £600 for their school / organisation.
Entries should be sent to COSafetyCompetition@energynetworks.org and must be received by Friday 4 May 2018 and judging will take place by the end of May 2018.
Last year’s regional winners produced posters warning of the dangers of carbon monoxide, with one entry, which was declared as the national winner, producing an eye-catching film, all of which can be found here: www.wwutilities.co.uk/GetCreativeBeSafe.
Known as the ‘silent killer’, accidental – and therefore preventable - CO poisoning is responsible for around 40 deaths, 200 hospitalisations each year. In the UK, there are more than 4,000 visits to Accident and & Emergency for treatment of CO poisoning – which can often lead to lasting neurological damage.
Symptoms of CO poisoning are often confused with flu, especially in winter, as they include severe headaches, a sore throat, dizziness, coughing, feeling sick, and a general lack of energy.
Wales & West Utilities Head of Emergency Service, Clive Book, said:
“We had a fantastic response to the competition last year and want to receive even more entries this year.
“We continually work hard to raise awareness of the deathly dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and this competition is a key part of that. The competition is an enjoyable way to improve carbon monoxide awareness and I would encourage as many young people as possible to enter.”
Entries can be emailed to: COSafetyCompetition@energynetworks.org.
For more details on the competition please visit www.wwutilities.co.uk/GetCreativeBeSafe or email COSafetycompetition@energynetworks.org
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service that serves Wales and the south west of England, puts customers at the heart of the business and is rated the top utility company in the UK for customer service. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.