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MP Margaret Ritchie has demanded tougher regulation enforcing the fitting of carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to tackle preventable deaths from CO poisoning.
Under the regulation landlords would be required to fit CO alarms in all rented accommodation, effectively harmonising the level of protection across the UK.
Current legislation only requires landlords in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to fit CO alarms in rooms with solid fuel burning appliances, where as in Scotland all fuel burning appliances require a CO monitor.
Ritchie tabled the Early Day Motion in response to recent research undertaken by John Moores University which has revealed that around 50 people a year die from preventable CO poisoning, with low income households most at risk.
The All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group co-chair Barry Sheeran said in support of the motion: “By harmonizing regulations for carbon monoxide alarms across the nations of the UK, we can put an end to the needless suffering caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.
“The APPCOG has recommended that all homes in the private rented sector are fitted with standard-compliant CO alarms since the publication of our report Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in 2011, so we very much hope that the government will follow Scotland’s lead and ensure that householders in the English rented sector are provided with equal levels of protection.”
Audible CO alarms cost on average £20 and last between seven and ten years. Industry estimates suggest less than 10 percent of UK homes have a CO alarm fitted, compared with 80 percent for smoke detectors.
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