Severe Winter Weather Warning
As the weather begins to change, so do our behaviours, the requirements we need to put in place to stay safe and ensure that those around us who are vulnerable, stay safe.
Why is winter weather a risk to our health?
Cold temperatures have an impact on our health, but there are other risks in winter including physical injuries from slips, trips and falls.
As we get older it becomes harder for our bodies to detect how cold we are, and it takes longer to warm up which can be bad for our health. For older people in particular, the longer the exposure to the cold, the more risk of heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia, depression, worsening arthritis and increased accidents at home (associated with loss of strength and dexterity in the hands).
Carbon Monoxide - Get in the Know
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas, which has no taste, colour, or smell. It can make you seriously ill and can kill quickly without warning.
What are the signs of a carbon monoxide leak?
Carbon monoxide is released when gas appliances do not have enough oxygen to burn correctly. Look outfor the following signs that could indicate that a gas appliance is not working correctly:
• floppy yellow or orange flame on your gas hob, rather than a crisp blue flame
• dark, sooty staining on or around your gas appliances
• increased condensation inside windows
• the boiler pilot light keeps going out.
Carbon Monoxide Regulations 2022
Carbon monoxide regulations
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm regulations 2022 will come into force on the 1st October 2022
Both social and private sector landlords are legally required to:
1. Ensure that at least 1 smoke alarm is equipped on each storey of their homes where there is a room used as living accommodation (social landlords).
2. Ensure carbon monoxide alarm is equipped in any room used as a living accommodation which contains a fixed combustion appliance (social and private landlords).
3. Ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are repaired or replaced once informed or found that they are faulty during the period of the tenancy.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms become compulsory from 1 October 2022
New Regulations state, that all rented properties in England must provide a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms used as living accommodation where there is a fixed combustion appliance, such as gas heaters and boilers, from the beginning of October 2022.
The amended rules (Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022) include a new requirement to ensure when a tenant reports to the landlord or letting agent that an alarm may not be in proper working order, the alarm must be repaired or replaced.
The Draft Statutory Instrument was laid before Parliament on 11 May 2022 and once approved will come into force on 1 October 2022.