when housesitting

[snowglobemouse]

who is responsible for things like smoke alarms and co2 detectors etc?

I was staying at a friend's house a couple of weeks ago to mind her dogs while she and her dp were away for the week (4days). I have a habit of checking out fast fire escape routes etc when I stay somewhere new. Just in case. Did that, all fine, smoke alarm seemed fine. Then realised they didn't have a co2 monitor. The boiler is in the guest room which is what put it in my mind yes I am probably too paranoid

I couldn't borrow the one from my own place as my flatmates were still there. So I thought 'oh I'm sure it'll be fine'...for a while. Then I thought 'hell no I'll never relax in this place' especially cos the boiler is in the guest room. So I made an emergency trip to tesco which is the only place that had any and was still open at 10pm. thirty quid later...I finally feel ok to sleep in the flat.

obviously I chose to spend £30 on something which isn't strictly required and of course won't be asking them to reimburse me but I guess my AIBU is this;

is it unreasonable to expect a co2 detector where there is a v small risk of co2 poisoning? and more importantly, would I BU to ask them to get a co2 alarm for when I'm next housesitting? Which will be for 11 days.

and WIBU to repackage the co2 alarm and return it to tesco since I'm now 30quid down. I know I would. Gah

It would never even pass my mind TBH.

You wanted the CO2 detector so you bought one. You can't spend other people's money for them.

You have the co2 monitor for as long as it works now.

Pulled ever occur to me to buy a co2 alarm, and of course you can't return it

CO2 is fine. It's what you breathe out. It's CO Carbon Monoxide that you need to worry about...
(sorry)

I'm not meaning to be rude but it does sound like you have a bit of anxiety about this.

We have a couple of co2 alarms but wouldn't think to check this in a friend's house. If you've now got an extra alarm could you not use this when you next housesit for them?

There's nothing wrong with mentioning it to them though, just say that it only crossed your mind as you were sleeping in the same room as the boiler. They probably either didn't think of it or were hoping to avoid the expense of buying one. They might even be pleased you bought one and recompense you.

I'd laugh in your face if you asked me to get a Co2 alarm for you if you're housesitting. As you have one now, why don't you save it for the next time? OR, just give it to them. They manage perfectly well without one, this is your issue, not theirs.

It's not a legal requirement so you cannot hold your friends responsible for reimbursing you.

I don't think your friends would have been going on holiday if their boiler was leaking Carbon Monoxide....

no no I def wasn't going to ask them to reimburse me, it was my choice to spend the money!

I was wondering if it was U to expect there to be one. I accept that I am

I meant CO not co2

Now you have your own to take to any other spare rooms you might sleep in.

Strap it on your back like a tortoise

Teenage mutant ninja Carbon Monoxide detector!!

Yup, I agree, just keep it and where ever you stay you now have your own personal alarm. I have a little £3 I got off ebay by the way. £30 must be all singing and all dancing!

Teenage mutant ninja Carbon Monoxide detector - this is making me laugh far too much. I need to grow up!

I keep singing it wowser Ds thinks I have lost the plot (but that may have been because I did the ninja moves at the end too.....)

well this is embarrassing

It's AIBU - you've not taken offence or flounced off and have listened, you actually deserve a high five!

I accept your high 5 but will consider a name change

No don't - i like you

You're refreshingly sanely bonkers.

I like you too!

And there is nothing to be embarrassed about - unless you also are doing ninja high kicks around your living room pretending to be a carbon monoxide hunting turtle??

Just me then.....