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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect my in laws to put up smoke alarms

50 replies

Brillopad78 · 28/03/2018 14:46

My in laws have a large house and only one smoke alarm downstairs near the kitchen. I have an anxiety about fires and we are going to be staying with them for a week. I have a two year old child. They are refusing to put up a second smoke alarm upstairs as it isn't visually pleasing and ruins the decor. Besides , they are not smokers and have an electrical safety certificate so they dont need one. My husband is not backing me on this and thinks I am over reacting. I am trying to insist that a second one is installed and they are saying they will put one up with bluetack and take it down when I leave. Am I mad or are they?

OP posts:
LoudBatPerson · 28/03/2018 14:49

You can ask them to, but if they don't want to then that is their choice, although not a very sensible one.

I don't think you can really put one up without their consent even if you take it home after.

If they will agree to fitting one and you are really concerned maybe it would be best to stay in a hotel for the visit.

Mosaic123 · 28/03/2018 14:49

I'm not sure that it even needs to be on the ceiling to work.

Just take a couple with and put them on very high shelves or resting on top of a picture frame. They can't object to that.

Nicknacky · 28/03/2018 14:50

What’s the issue if they are putting another one up when you are there?

ittakes2 · 28/03/2018 14:50

I think a second alarm would be sensible - but its their decision and I think its odd you are insisting. Is there a reason you can't take your own?someone must have designed portable smoke alarms by now!

CapnHaddock · 28/03/2018 14:50

Just take one with you

Original poster
Brillopad78 · 28/03/2018 14:51

I am taking one with me. Thats the one they have agreed to put up with bluetack

OP posts:
Idrinkandiknowstuff · 28/03/2018 14:51

But they are prepared to put one up with blu tac whilst you’re there, so what’s the issue?

Nicknacky · 28/03/2018 14:52

So what’s the problem then?

Original poster
Brillopad78 · 28/03/2018 14:52

It will probably fall down and I worry about their safety when they are on their own. They are getting elderly

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 28/03/2018 14:53

Put it on a shelf or something then. They have a smoke alarm in the place most likely to have a fire. Stop worrying about it.

CoolGirlsNeverGetAngry · 28/03/2018 14:54

Mine haven’t got any and I brought my own (they are just “around” as Mosaic described). Got to be better than nothing, I refuse to die in a house fire bc someone couldn’t be arsed to fit smoke alarms.

veuveo · 28/03/2018 14:56

How old are they?
The fire brigade put my parents in for free

CapnHaddock · 28/03/2018 14:57

I don't think it's any of your business

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 28/03/2018 14:58

I think you're overreacting here OP. They have a smoke alarm fitted downstairs and have said they will put another one upstairs while you're there. This should be enough.

Are you getting help for your anxiety?

PurpleWithRed · 28/03/2018 14:58

I think you are overreacting - you have said you have an anxiety about fires. Take your own second one by all means but you can’t insist on them putting up a second one in their own home.

What does ‘getting elderly’ mean anyway?

Original poster
Brillopad78 · 28/03/2018 14:59

Okay, maybe I am overreacting. I do have anxiety about this and this is why I wanted to know if I was being unreasonable.

OP posts:
Penfold007 · 28/03/2018 15:05

Perhaps this would be an ideal opportunity to seek help for your anxiety. You can't insist they do anything, just buy a portable fire alarm.

DerelictWreck · 28/03/2018 15:06

It doesn't need to be 'put up', just on a table or shelf will do.

Take one with you and do that, don't make demands about their home

Original poster
Brillopad78 · 28/03/2018 15:06

Yes, time for some more CBT probably

OP posts:
ThannDabby · 28/03/2018 15:09

They're a bit dumb not to have smoke alarms. Who does that. Stupid.

Original poster
Brillopad78 · 28/03/2018 15:15

Elderly is late 70's

OP posts:
TSSDNCOP · 28/03/2018 15:18

Take several with you. Scatter them about. Look surprised if they spot them, and just put them elsewhere.

Nicknacky · 28/03/2018 15:19

than They do have one, just not enough for the op’s liking.

Original poster
Brillopad78 · 28/03/2018 15:21

Its not to do with my liking , the fire brigade state that you need a minimum of two. One for each floor. In private rented properties it is illegal for the landlord not to provide the minimum

OP posts:
inamechangedforthispost · 28/03/2018 15:25

It doesn't need to be mounted to work.

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