12/08/2010 - Carbon monoxide alarms debated
Ministers in Northern Ireland are to meet to discuss whether carbon monoxide detectors should be made compulsory after two school friends were killed by a gas leak.
Aaron Davidson and Neil McFerran, both 18, died while staying in a seaside apartment in Castlerock, Co Londonderry, last week. The gas fitter who installed the faulty alarm is under investigation and some other properties he worked on were closed as a precaution.
At Stormont, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and Finance Minister Mr Wilson will probe whether enforcing installation of the alarms in new buildings, rented accommodation and businesses is feasible. Other legislative bodies that have previously considered such an option have not implemented the law over concerns about an industry standard device.
Both Mrs Foster and Wilson have supported calls for compulsory carbon monoxide alarms since the poisoning tragedy. Mrs Foster said: "Legislation will take time and I would strongly advise householders not to wait for that legislation but to take action and install a carbon monoxide detector in their home."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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