Two sisters are on a mission to push for a new law mandating carbon monoxide alarms in cars after the tragic death of their brother. Michael Barnard, 36, lost his life in August 2023 to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a leaking exhaust while he was enjoying music in his vehicle in Barrow. Lucy and Rebecca Barnard are determined to prevent such a devastating incident from happening to others.
The loss of their brother has been an incredibly tough experience for the sisters, who are now spreading awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide. They have garnered over 500 signatures on a petition highlighting the risks of the gas, which claims approximately 60 lives in the UK annually. Lucy Barnard expressed the deep pain of losing her brother and emphasized the urgent need for carbon monoxide detectors to be mandatory in cars across the country.
Carbon monoxide, a silent and odorless gas, can lead to severe illness or death if inhaled, making it imperative for measures to be in place to detect its presence in vehicles. The President of CO-Gas Safety, Stephanie Trotter, advocates for regular checks on the air quality inside cars, not just focusing on emissions from exhausts during MOT tests. The Barnard sisters are determined to prevent others from experiencing the heartbreak they have endured since their brother’s tragic passing.
The siblings recall how in the months leading up to his death, Michael had driven extensively without realizing the lethal danger he was exposed to. Rebecca Barnard, who was eight months pregnant when she received the devastating news, reflects on the loss her brother faced of never having the chance to start a family. Despite their grief, the sisters remain committed to their cause, hoping that their campaign for carbon monoxide alarms in cars will save lives and prevent further tragedies
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