A major housing charity is calling on landlords to install carbon monoxide detectors in their properties, ahead of a change in the law.
From December this year, all privately rented homes in Scotland must be fitted with alarms and detectors to protect tenants from the deadly gas. Around 20 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year in the UK.
The odourless gas mostly comes from faulty or badly fitted gas appliances, where there is insufficient ventilation.
Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: "It’s very welcome news that from 1st December thousands of households across Scotland will be protected from disasters waiting to happen. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and is particularly dangerous to children, elderly people, expectant mothers and people with health problems.
"It’s absolutely vital that landlords who haven’t fitted CO alarms now comply with the law and make this change to their properties to protect their tenants and stop putting people’s lives at risk. Landlords also need to ensure that annual checks such as a gas safety check are carried out.
"This guidance gives landlords a head start ahead of the change in law so there’s nothing to stop them installing carbon monoxide alarms now and make their properties safer, sooner."
Even low levels can starve the brain of oxygen and cause lasting damage. People with health problems, children and expectant mothers are more vulnerable.
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