An Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled by Margaret Ritchie MP is calling for the Government to regulate the fitting of carbon monoxide alarms in all rented properties across the UK. The EDM highlights that around 50 people a year still die as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning and points to recent research undertaken at Liverpool John Moores University which found that low income households are most at risk.
Current legislation in England only requires landlords to fit carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with solid fuel burning appliances.
All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG) Co-chair Barry Sheerman MP has expressed his support for the EDM, describing it as a timely reminder that more can be done to stop preventable deaths due to CO gas. He comments: “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.”
