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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:
HippieGoth91 · 30/12/2017 21:50

Is your life worth £10 to you? If so get one.

Ontheboardwalk · 30/12/2017 21:50

If we're staying away in a cottage or the like I always take one of my free standing ones with us.

I know my boiler is serviced every year, I don’t know what happens in other properties

strangerhoes · 30/12/2017 21:57

Sorry I shouldn’t have said that.
Flowers

DopeyDazy · 30/12/2017 21:58

we've got 2 and also a smoke alarm in the bedroom with phone chargers etc going up in flames.

SheepyFun · 30/12/2017 21:59

We have one - please get one with an alarm, not that just changes colour (the alarm ones are more expensive, but you will notice when they go off).

We put in our own in our previous house (rented). For years everything was fine, until the grill warped slightly, and stopped burning (gas) efficiently, thus emitting carbon monoxide. I'm very glad we knew (and the landlord replaced the cooker sharpish). As it was a rental property, there was a gas inspection every year - we met the inspector, it was definitely done. The cooker had passed the previous inspection.

One advantage of having one which beeped (aside from us noticing it at all) was that we could test each part of the cooker to see where the problem was.

Jobjobjob · 30/12/2017 22:03

which is I think why people get them as well - I don't have one I get my boiler serviced annually

So fucking what!!! You still need one, it's c. £20!!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 30/12/2017 22:05

We have a Nest one that notifies us on an app and shuts off the boiler if it detects carbon monoxide. It was more expensive but I think it was worth it. It’s doubles as a smoke alarm and speaks as well as having an alarm which is good as DH can’t hear high pitched alarms but can hear speaking.

Original poster
Jasmine29 · 30/12/2017 22:05

Gosh - I didn't notice the CO/ CO2 thing!

All sorted now, thanks for the advice.

New Years resolution - stop dithering on important stuff. Stop over thinking and start doing!

OP posts:
Gertrudethestag · 30/12/2017 22:08

Op I'm glad you got one. I had an awful experience with Carbon Monoxide a few weeks ago Sad the alarm saved everyone's life. Boiler was recently serviced & only 2 years old.

lessworriedaboutthecat · 30/12/2017 22:10

Glad to hear you got one.

smurfy2015 · 30/12/2017 22:14

If needed you could contact your local home safety officer in local council esp if you have children who will come out and do a lovely assessment to see what can help with and... FREEBIES!!!

My bag of freebies had a co2 alarm, 2 smoke alarms with batteries, fleece blanket, a pack of leaflets for info, 2 pairs of "heat holder" socks, a fleece gilet Regatta brand and other stuff.

I had a great chat with the lady that visited so much so, I was her 2 pm appt and she was working from home after my visit. We hit it off as her son is ill (now 14-year-old son) and I have similar illnesses to him so we had a lot of talk about esp coping strategies. She thought she was here about an hour after all paperwork etc done, nope we both looked at the time and it was now 6.55pm but was a fantastic chatty evening so I can only say good things about my experience with this local council service,

smurfy2015 · 30/12/2017 22:16

So op YANBU he is the twat Flowers

Peachyking000 · 30/12/2017 22:19

HIBU. I’ve been saved from potential CO poisoning twice thanks to an alarm! First time was in a previous house, and was due to a blocked flue and faulty boiler. Second time, we had just moved House, and had been using the open fire. No idea anything was wrong, we went to bed and later woke up to the alarm going off. The chimney had become blocked and the living room was filled with smoke.

Tigger001 · 30/12/2017 22:21

Why would this even be an issue/ talking point. Just buy one and fit it..why does it need to be a join effort ??

Girlsworld92 · 30/12/2017 22:23

Just get one. Mine went off the other week and I crapped it. All fine but I got it checked out even though I was about to go to bed. Hubby still went to bed as he's really laid back about this stuff but I'm a worrier. Interestingly the company who came out told me I should have one at the top of the stairs as well as near the boiler so now we have 2 😀

AlonsosLeftPinky · 30/12/2017 22:25

I know everyone has different set ups and that, but surely buying a carbon monoxide detector shouldn't need long drawn out discussions??

Original poster
Jasmine29 · 30/12/2017 22:37

Grin sorry AlonsosLeftPinky, you're right. It did prompt me to go for it though. So worth it.

OP posts:
BurnTheBlackSuit · 30/12/2017 22:38

We have a carbon monoxide detector and I think everyone should.

But they are relatively new to people's homes. Did lots of people use to die of carbon monoxide poisoning? I have never heard of this happening until fairly recently. Why?

ipswichwitch · 30/12/2017 22:39

As someone who almost died from carbon monoxide poisoning (only alive thanks to flat mate who came home early), I’d say it’s pretty stupid not to have one if you have anything in your house with the potential to cause a build up of CO.

In my case, the boiler had been recently serviced, but a dead pigeon was found blocking the flue - no idea how that got in there. A service does not guarantee your boiler won’t be belching CO into your house a week later. I was taken to a&e with headaches, vomiting and confusion, then discharged with “migraine” and told to go home and sleep it off. Next day I collapsed, was found unconscious and blue lighted in again. Was told another hour in that house and I’d have been dead.

That was not a fun experience, and I happily pay less than £20 a pop for a detector to stop that ever happening again. I’d probably not be so lucky next time.

MyGuideJools · 30/12/2017 22:44

Can I ask please?
I've got a boiler in the spare room. I have the alarm on the shelf in that room. Is that the right place?
Should I also have one in the kitchen with the gas hob?

Lana1234 · 30/12/2017 22:48

Yanbu OP. My dad died when I was 16 due to carbon monoxide poisoning. £20 is nothing to ensure that you and yours are safe and alive.

Enidthecat · 30/12/2017 22:53

jools i would prob get a second in the kitchen to be on the safe side yes (gas engineer told us to have one in each room which has a gas appliance)

Ontheboardwalk · 30/12/2017 22:59

Burn don’t know if this is true or not but in my mind it’s increased due to us all insulating our homes.

We’ve all got double glazing, insulated walls and roofs. Also people used to keep their chimney clear, it was all they needed to do before boilers and their fumes potentially being trapped in rooms.

MyGuideJools · 30/12/2017 23:02

Thanks enid stupidly I only ever thought about it being about the boiler. I.going
to get one for the kitchen. Will get my mum one too.

BedtimeTea · 30/12/2017 23:08

I am glad you took the bull by the horns and bought one. I would insist he pay for half, and tell him to get a grip and be an adult. If your house has a garage attached, a person can get carbon monoxide poisoning from garage fumes too. Or sitting in a car with the heat or air con on. A woman I used to work with had a brother who died and his gf has brain damage after they sat in their car with either the heat or air conditioning on (was long ago, I forget the details of why, but think they pulled over to rest and fell asleep)They were really young too, only 17-18 or so.