LIVING in poor quality rented accommodation can seriously damage your

health, or even kill you. Every year since 1989 up to three people have

died in Scotland because of faulty gas appliances.

The victims are usually students or young people living in multi-let

accommodation with inadequate gas equipment.

Reputable rental agents have welcomed the launch of a nationwide

publicity campaign to alert the public to the sometimes fatal danger of

carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty gas appliances, especially in

rented accommodation.

Mounted by the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, the

campaign outlines new gas safety laws.

John Henry, HSE principal inspector, based in Edinburgh, said: ''It is

tragic when anyone's life is cut short in this way, but especially when

so many of the victims are students and other young people.''

That loss of life is the reason for the campaign and proves the need

for the new regulations, which came into force on October 31. Now, for

the first time, landlords are required to have gas appliances in their

properties checked for safety at least once a year, and to ensure that a

safety check is carried out by a competent installer registered with the

Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI).

In addition, CORGI installers are now required to inform both the

landlord and the tenant when a dangerous appliance has been identified.

The landlord must now show the safety check record to the tenant if

asked.

Mr Henry added: ''The new regulations will not be fully effective

unless the public are aware of the dangers posed by carbon monoxide and

of the protection that the new regulations offer. The Government and the

Health and Safety Commission are at one with the Gas Safety Action Group

on this.''

HSE's publicity campaign includes press, cinema and TV advertising. A

short film produced by HSE depicts a female student dying from carbon

monoxide poisoning. The message is straightforward -- regular

maintenance of gas appliances saves lives.

Catherine Taylor, president of the Students Association at St Andrews

University, said: ''It is good t o know that the new legislation will

ensure that gas appliances in rented accommodation are checked and

tested at least once a year.''

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulation 1994, which came into

force on October 31, consolidates and updates existing gas safety

legislation of 1984 and 1990. The new regulations deal with the

installation and use of gas appliances in domestic and commercial

property.