New smoke alarm laws must be delayed, says MSP

A Labour MSP has called on the Scottish Government to delay their new smoke alarm laws.

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth wants the regulations delayed by a year due to a lack of public awareness and a“litany of flaws”.

But government chiefs insist no one will be criminalised if they don’t make the February 1 deadline, when new powers come into force.

Rules on smoke alarms are set for an overhaul following the 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Under the regulations every home in Scotland must have‘interlinked’ smoke alarms.

Alarms should be in the room people spend most of the day in and one smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, as well as one heat alarm in the kitchen.

The laws will also require that residents with a carbon-fuelled appliance- like a boiler, fire, heater or flue- must also have a carbon monoxide alarm.

Additional alarms are set to cost households around £220 and Smyth is concerned over the extra cost.

Mr Smyth said:“Unless these changes are delayed, thousands of my constituents across the area will end up inadvertently breaking the law in just a few weeks, either because they aren’t aware of the new rules or they physically cannot get hold of the equipment.

“There are mounting concerns on everything from affordability and public awareness.”

Government officials say they have provided financial support for vulnerable residents and ran a five-week TV, radio and digital campaign which they say reached 95.2 per cent of adults.

An official spokesperson said:“The new rules allow flexibility for home owners unable to install alarms by 1 February. No one will be criminalised if they need more time and there are no penalties for non-compliance.

“However, we would encourage everyone to install these alarms, which can help save lives.”