During Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week 2022, which runs from 21-27 November, we’re on a mission to make sure people across the UK know about the new rules for CO alarms in homes, and to stay safe from CO poisoning this winter and beyond. The highly poisonous gas causes tens of people die every year, and thousands are harmed. But with a little lifesaving knowledge, exposure to CO can be easily avoided.
Rising energy bills and the current cost of living crisis is placing households at an increased risk of CO poisoning, as people look for ways to save on heating and cooking costs. It’s really important to have your gas appliances serviced annually by a Gas Safe Registered engineer – they’ll make sure you and your loved ones stay safe all year round. Symptoms of CO poisoning are very flu-like (nausea, dizziness, headaches, breathlessness, and unconsciousness), and can be easy to miss, which is why it’s essential for every home to have a working CO alarm near to any gas appliances. It really could save your life.
This year, new laws for smoke detectors and CO alarms came into force in Scotland and England.
The updated regulations mean, in England, it’s now a legal requirement for CO alarms to be installed in all rented accommodation and new build properties containing fuel burning appliances (excluding gas cookers). It’s also a requirement for a CO alarm to be installed in any home when a new fuel burning appliance is installed.
The legislation in Scotland goes even further and requires all homes to have a CO alarm installed in any room containing a carbon fuelled appliance.
In either country, if you live in private or socially rented accommodation, it's the landlord's responsibility to provide these and you have the right to request an alarm if there isn’t one fitted in your home. CO alarms should always meet British Standard BS-50291-1.
Dan Edwards, our Social Impact Programme Lead from SGN says:
“It’s great that the legislation around the UK for owning and installing carbon monoxide alarms has been improved to help keep more people safe from CO harm. We’re proud at SGN to be supporting the Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week campaign to raise awareness of the new legislation, the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, and how you can keep you and your household safe from this silent killer.”