Landlords are responsible for the safety of their property and the tenants. A property can hold several safety hazards and the landlords need to take appropriate safety precautions so that potential disaster can be avoided. Installing carbon monoxide detectors is an integral part of the safety of the property. There should be at least one CO detector so that CO poisoning can be avoided.
Why You Need CO Detectors?
CO is a colorless, fatal and odorless gas so it is not possible to detect without the help of a detector. If the occupants are exposed to CO constantly then it can lead to fatalities as well.
CO poisoning is mostly the result of heating systems using faulty venting or indoor use of heaters. Anything that burns can produce CO. You also need to be aware of the poisoning symptoms so you can take action immediately. The carbon monoxide detector going off is a clear indication that the property is at risk of CO poisoning.
How Can the Landlord Prevent CO Poisoning?
It is possible to take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of CO poisoning. The landlords will need tenants to help to avoid CO poisoning because simply installing the CO detectors is not enough. Here are a few things that landlords should add to the tenancy agreement so that tenants are clear on the practices they need to avoid to prevent CO poisoning.
Here are a few important points you need to add to the tenancy agreement so that the tenants understand the importance of preventive measures.
The gas stove is not for heating the house. The tenants should never use it for anything other than cooking. Make sure that the tenancy agreement clearly states the repercussions of misusing the gas stove. A gas stove works even when there is no electricity and the tenant may rely on it for heat so make sure that you are able to communicate the dangers and its role in causing CO poisoning so they are careful.
If there is a generator in the property then it should never be used inside the building. The generator should always be used outdoors so that there is no chance of CO poisoning. The generator is a common source of CO so it is better to keep it in the open where there is maximum ventilation.
The tenancy agreement should be clear about not burning the outdoor items inside the property. People can get careless and end up using equipment like gas grills or propane lanterns in a closed area. It does not offer adequate ventilation to avoid CO buildup and can lead to CO poisoning. Bringing open fire inside the house will risk exposure and make the property vulnerable to poisoning and can lead to fatalities as well.
The maintenance of gas appliances and safety equipment is the landlord’s responsibility. As a landlord, you need to invest in annual inspections. The furnace and the gas appliances should be in perfect working condition. If there is lint buildup or blockages then the appliances that are supposed to offer comfort can become a safety hazard.
