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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Husband thinks we don't need a carbon monoxide detector aibu?

125 replies

Jasmine29 · 30/12/2017 20:49

It's just part of a long list of things we don't agree on. I'm the sensible (boring!) practical one and he's the immature doesn't think things through one. He seems reluctant to spend any money on the house but will happily spend it on himself. We both work full time and I don't have a problem with him treating himself but whenever I suggest buying things for the house it always ends in an argument. We've lived together for 8 years and I'm fed up of this always being an issue. The carbon monoxide detector has just pushed be over the edge! I'll end up getting one myself (and fitting it, that's another thing, he doesn't do diy) but I feel so resentful 😐

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 30/12/2017 21:05

Most houses have at least one of these!!

But not all, hence why I'm checking.

OP you have gas burning appliances in your house. Get one!

Foodylicious · 30/12/2017 21:05

Think ours cost £20?
Sits on top of the fridge
No fitting required
Expect it will last a few years so it's really not much money at all.

JudgeTinder · 30/12/2017 21:06

My cousin’s ex-bf was in a coma for 8 years due to carbon monoxide poisoning. He died last year after contracting pneumonia. So yanbu. Why risk it?!

Mrscog · 30/12/2017 21:07

It’s unusual to not need one - and I know that because we don’t (our oil boiler is outside). Any boiler in the house or wood burning appliance and you do.

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/12/2017 21:07

www.nongasmap.org.uk/

TheHungryDonkey · 30/12/2017 21:07

If you have gas they’re an essential. Can’t understand what possible issue he could have. I have one fitted by housing association but I don’t trust them so I bought a free standing one too.

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 30/12/2017 21:07

British gas gave us 2 when they did our boiler service a few years back and they ask us every year if we still have them. One is behind a photo on the fireplace (gas fire) and one is on top of the fridge in the kitchen so no fitting necessary.

We actually had the visual ones prior to getting the alarmed ones.

Just buy one. It could save your life one day.

HighwayChile · 30/12/2017 21:08

Tabby! They are not that expensive and could honestly be the difference between life and death.

Years ago, me and my then boyfriend were taken very ill from carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty boiler.. there are no warning signs, we were just very lucky! I absolutely wouldn't be without one.

Don't bother with the ones you stick on the boiler that change colour though! You need one that makes a noise in case you are in bed or another room whilst there is a leak.

HighwayChile · 30/12/2017 21:09

*YANBU even. Not sure where tabby came from ConfusedGrin

Titsywoo · 30/12/2017 21:10

Just buy one. Who cares if he doesn't agree. It could save your life and costs very little. Get one with an alarm as you aren't looking at it all the time to know if there is a problem. I have smoke detectors with carbon monoxide detectors built in.

bridgetreilly · 30/12/2017 21:10

Quite a lot of rural properties aren't on mains gas. I don't have anything except electricity here (and yes, it's very expensive). And electric 'boilers' aren't that uncommon, though they're usually called immersion heaters.

I have a smoke detector but no carbon monoxide alarm because there's literally nothing in the house that could make it. If you do have gas, I can't think of any reason not to have one, or indeed to have a discussion about it. Just get one, OP.

pinkyredrose · 30/12/2017 21:10

It's frustrating being with an immature partner. It's rather unsexy feeling like someones mother. Been in relationships like that before, never again! OP what else is he gung ho about? Food safety ? Cleaning? Locking doors and windows? Safety belts? Usually this type of person will eventually see the light but often only after a preventable tragedy.

Bufferingkisses · 30/12/2017 21:12

Yep, they are cheap, require no fitting and could be useful. I'm not big into safety at all costs but I have two, kitchen for boiler/stove and living room for wood burner. Recently we had an issue with the wood burner and it was really helpful to know the monitor was happy with our environment. Just do it.

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 30/12/2017 21:12

I don't have one I get my boiler serviced annually
We got an alarm when our first DS was a toddler after a child in our region died due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a neighbour’s boiler.

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 30/12/2017 21:12

I don't have one I get my boiler serviced annually
We got an alarm when our first DS was a toddler after a child in our region died due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a neighbour’s boiler.

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 30/12/2017 21:13

Oops, sorry Confused

Hogtini · 30/12/2017 21:14

Just buy one. Jeez.

Cherrycokewinning · 30/12/2017 21:14

Oh yes I wasn’t really have thought of an immersion heater as an electric boiler.

You’ve all just reminded me that British Gas did leave us one after the last service but I don’t for the life of me recall where they put it

Wide0penSpace · 30/12/2017 21:14

Please get one. One of my good friends died in his 20's from carbon monoxide poisoning. They are so cheap and could save your life.

uncoolnn · 30/12/2017 21:15

Such little effort to install and a potential life saver. Please install one OP, after a very near miss with some friends I can't stress the importance of these enough.

Regularsizedrudy · 30/12/2017 21:16

I don’t understand how this became an arguement? If you want one, get one, doesn’t require agreement/approval

Jerseysilkvelour · 30/12/2017 21:17

Well I don't need a carbon monoxide alarm. Because we have electricity only and no gas through our whole block!!

Just buy one, I'd get two, and sod what he says. When we had gas I had two to make sure. They're so cheap! Your lives are worth so much more than the cost of a couple of those.

daddyorscience · 30/12/2017 21:18

The ex refused to have one, "didn't see the point". Her boiler is an old open flue baxi... They can be bad if not maintained. So I gave her mine from here, "for the safety of the kids".

My boiler is flue sealed, and 3 years old. Bit safer. But I must get a new detector..

Wide0penSpace · 30/12/2017 21:18

And I agree with other posters - get one with an alarm rather than a colour changing one. Carbon monoxide poisoning is awful. It will make you feel like you've got the flu and most likely go to bed, you won't be thinking of checking the monitor.

strangerhoes · 30/12/2017 21:18

Wish I could die of co2 poisoning