People in Dumfries and Galloway are struggling to get smoke alarms installed in their homes – more than three weeks after new safety legislation came into force.
From the start of February, every home in Scotland was supposed to have an inter-linked alarm system in place.
But a supply shortage has made that difficult.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has revealed it is struggling to source alarms.
SFRS head of prevention and protection Alasdair Perry said: “Due to global supply chain issues, the number of linked heat and smoke detectors available to our service has fallen below required levels.
“However, we are working to identify and procure additional detectors through alternative routes as a priority.
“If we go to any property that has no detection, we will carry out a full home fire safety visit, provide battery-operated, stand-alone smoke detection and also ensure to advise the occupant about the new standard for the fire and smoke alarms required by the legislation in all Scottish homes.”
The Scottish Government has provided £2 million worth of funding to help elderly and disabled people install new systems – half to the fire service and the other half to Care and Repair Scotland.
However, Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson warned: “I have been made aware of a number of instances where people are being charged significantly over the cost that the Scottish Government has been pedalling, simply because of a lack of supply.
“Some tradesmen are charging over and above the cost by citing the difficulty in getting alarms. It is a ludicrous situation and totally unfair that elderly and vulnerable people are being conned into higher costs over fears they are breaking the law.
“Even the SFRS has admitted that there has been global supply chain issues. It has stated also that the number of linked heat and smoke detectors available to the SFRS had fallen below required levels. Thankfully it has now identified an alternative supplier and a high priority procurement process is under way.
“But the fact of the matter is that the Scottish Government has ignored all of this and the funding being made available simply won’t even touch the surface.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “While homeowners are encouraged to install interlinked alarms at the earliest opportunity, legislation provides flexibility for work to be completed within a reasonable period, taking into account individual circumstances.
The Scottish Government and local authority body Cosla had previously stated it had asked councils to take “a proportionate and measured approach” to enforcing the new legislation.
