Our History, Mission & Vision
Our History
Katharine Leah Haines (nee Samuel) – always known as Katie – was born on 31 January 1979 and was the daughter of Gordon and Avril Samuel and elder sister of Adam and Lydia. Katie married Richard Haines on 12 December 2009 at St Mary’s Church, Fairford, Gloucestershire. Tragically, on 18 February 2010, just two months after her wedding, Katie died of accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning at her home in Wokingham. The Katie Haines Memorial Trust was founded in 2010 by Katie’s family to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide and in time support and promote other charities that would have been close to Katie’s heart.
Our Mission
We exist because of a tragic accident. Our work is inspired by the life of the person we lost. Our mission is to raise awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and to prevent unnecessary loss of life. We are run by a committed group of individuals but rely on the help and support of others to ensure the dangers of carbon monoxide are prominent in people’s minds, particularly the most vulnerable groups in society – the elderly, children, university students and those living in low-cost accommodation.
Our Vision
- Our vision is that everyone in the UK understands the dangers of carbon monoxide and takes preventative measures to make sure that they do not fall victim to it.
- It is important to have all carbon burning appliances regularly maintained and serviced by an engineer qualified to work on that particular appliance and to check the engineer’s registration card.
- Blocked chimneys or flues can also cause carbon monoxide to enter the home and it is important that they are swept regularly by a registered sweep.
- Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm in all rooms where there are carbon burning appliances and remember to test them regularly – Test It Tuesday– and make sure they are within their expiry date.
- Pack a CO alarm in your suitcase when staying away from home
Symptoms Checker
Dull Headache
Weakness
Dizziness
Nausea or Vomitting
Shortness of Breath
Confusion
Blurred Vision
Loss of Consciousness
If you are experiencing any or all of the above symptoms, it could be an indication that there is carbon monoxide in your home, especially if the symptoms lessen when you leave the premises. If the symptoms persist, see your doctor and make sure your carbon burning appliances are checked by a qualified engineer.
Landlords’ Duties
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 make it mandatory for landlords to ensure that gas appliances, pipework and flues provided for tenants are in a safe condition at all times. The rules apply throughout the UK and cover liquid petroleum gas (LPG) systems as well as natural gas. READ MORE
“We won’t rest until everyone in the UK understands the dangers of CO and takes steps to ensure they don’t fall victim to it.
It’s vital that all carbon burning appliances should be regularly serviced by a qualified engineer and one or more CO alarms installed.”
Our campaign videos
Carbon Monoxide Safe4Summer Advert
CO Awareness Week 2020
Supporting Gas Safety Week 2020
Precious Memories of Katie
Cause for Alarm
Wake Up! Video
Carbon Monoxide Can Get You Anywhere!
Supporting Gas Safety Week 2020
NEW – CO Can Get You Anywhere!
Carbon Monoxide Can Get You Anywhere!
Gordon Samuel on ITV London News
Sound The Alarm
News Articles
Carbon Monoxide Scare Hospitalizes Swansea Family
SWANSEA (CBS) – A family of four is in the hospital after a carbon monoxide scare in their Swansea home....read more
Katie and KHMT in Arsenal Programme – Arsenal v Manchester United – 10th March
Remembering Katie As everyone knows, Katie was an avid Arsenal supporter and was lucky enough through her...read more
Be Gas Safe – RoSPA
Be Gas Safe – Reduce Carbon Monoxide Poisoning You can’t see it, taste it or smell it but it can...read more
Facebook Posts
Great to see this funded study in Sheffield looking at the dangers of low-level exposure of carbon monoxide on the brain - ow.ly/VYgu50OrOCB
#carbonmonoxide #CO #research #sheffield
Timeline photosWe are supporting the #ChildSafetyWeek by @ChildAccidentPreventionTrust to educate families on gas safety to help keep their children safe at home.
Most people don’t realise exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) can be very harmful to infants 👶 🧒.
Make sure you know the symptoms!
They are like everyday illnesses 🤒🤢 so can be difficult to detect and include headaches, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse and loss of consciousness.
Every household needs a carbon monoxide alarm to detect CO.
Learn more and keep your children safe: crowd.in/jWrU0v
Don't forget to book your essential chimney sweep! 🎩📅🔥
Scheduling regular maintenance, and keeping appliances and chimneys in good shape, makes a world of difference. Simply use the postcode search on the HETAS website to find your local sweep and service technician. 👇🔗
pulse.ly/nz6isfc1q1
#HETAS #consumer #advice
Timeline photosPlanning a caravan holiday for half-term next week? There is probably lots of planning to consider, but don't forget gas safety. Check our advice on everything you need to know to stay gas safe away from home by going to ow.ly/3eYi50Os7Ym
When I am older
I might not remember
I might get confused
And I might lose my temper
And there may be times
When I don’t know your name
Because it’s been trapped,
Locked away in my brain
And though it will hurt
To think I could forget you
Offer me smiles,
Hold my hand if I’ll let you
And talk of adventures
We had long ago
Show me the photos
Of people I know
Play music we’ve danced to
And songs we have sung
Read me the books I read
When I was young
‘Cause your voice and your words
Might just be the key
That opens the door -
That unlocks it for me
And maybe the music
Will spark tiny embers
Of memories dormant
And I will remember
Your name and your face
And the words to our song
The times and the places
To which I’ve belonged
And it might last moments
Or minutes or more
As the fire sheds light
Through the crack in the door
But when the door closes
And gone are the flames
When you are once more
A stranger again
Just know you’ll have stirred something
Deep down inside
Something familiar
That I recognise
Something that’s real
That’s not stored in my head
But right at the core
Of my heart space instead
Something that’s stirred
By your smiles and your stories
The touch of your hand
And the songs you sing for me
And though I’ll have no words to tell you
Just trust
That deep down inside
I’ll remember
I’m loved
*******
Artwork lucyclaireillustration
Today marks the start of Dementia Awareness week in the UK. I strongly believe this is something that needs awareness all year round but it seemed like a fitting time to share this again today.
Sending love, peace and compassion to anyone dealing with this - either directly or whilst caring for a loved one. Be kind to yourself.