Our recent survey has found that 1 in 10 over 50s in Scotland who have appliances such as a gas boiler don’t have a working carbon monoxide (CO) alarm installed in their home. This is despite 94% being aware that CO poisoning could kill. Of those who did have a working alarm, 45% said it was over five years old.
The highly poisonous gas is known as the silent killer, and thousands of people are harmed by it every year. Homes with a carbon fuelled appliance, such as a gas boiler or coal fire, should have a carbon monoxide detector.
Alongside our partners Age Scotland, we’re urging older people who fall into this category to get an alarm if they do not already have one installed in their home. Those who already have one should test it regularly, replace it if it’s come to the end of its useable life, and remain aware of the flu-like symptoms of CO poisoning – headaches, nausea, dizziness, tiredness, and collapse.
In partnership with Age Scotland, our ‘Taking the Temperature’ report captured the views and experiences of more than 1,000 over 50s in Scotland. It revealed that 25% of respondents had not yet been able to install interlinked fire and smoke alarms in their homes following the February 2022 national deadline.
Of those who did not have interlinked alarms installed in their homes at the time of the survey, 41% had no intention to have them installed within the next six months. Cost was cited as the primary reason (54%) for this decision, with 27% unaware of what support was available to them for this purpose.
Some care and repair services can fit interlinked fire and smoke alarms for free to older and disabled households on low incomes.
Care and Repair Edinburgh, part of the Age Scotland family, will supply and fit interlinked alarms, worth up to £270, at no charge for Edinburgh pensioners on low incomes who fit certain criteria. They also supply a free CO alarm if required. For more information visit www.cre.scot.
Age Scotland’s Interim Chief Executive, Michelle Supple, said:
“Good home safety standards are vital, and it’s concerning to hear that so many older people in Scotland don’t have a CO alarm in their home.
“If you have a carbon-fuelled device, ensuring you have an alarm installed is a simple but vital step to take to ensure you stay safe. CO is a dangerous silent killer, but these alarms save lives.
“Many older homeowners have also voiced concerns over the affordability and cost of interlinked fire and smoke alarms, as well as where to access support to install them.
“With 34% of our survey respondents also unaware of current requirements regarding interlinked fire and smoke alarms, it’s clear there is still a long way to go – both in terms of awareness and uptake - to ensure all households affected by the significant change are able to meet these requirements.”