This object could soon become a must-have for all French people.

Ten years ago, the installation of a smoke detector became mandatory in all French homes. A measure hailed for its preventative impact, which has saved many lives. Today, another device could follow the same path and become a must-have in our homes. Discreet yet incredibly effective, this new tool could soon be found in your home... and not by choice, but by obligation.

Every winter in France, several thousand people are victims of a gas that is as dangerous as it is insidious: carbon monoxide . Odorless, colorless, and deadly in high doses, it is produced by the poor combustion of certain domestic appliances (gas heaters, wood stoves, boilers, poorly maintained cookers, etc.).

According to Public Health France, approximately 4,000 people are poisoned by carbon monoxide each year , with several dozen deaths recorded. The majority of these tragedies occur in poorly ventilated homes, often during the winter when heating systems are operating at full capacity.

Despite ongoing prevention campaigns, many households remain poorly informed or ill-equipped. However, there is a simple solution to prevent these tragedies: the carbon monoxide detector.

An initiative supported at the highest level

Following a tragedy in Poissy in September 2024—where two people died from poisoning—MP Sandrine Berno Dos Santos, who is also the town's mayor, decided to take action. She and MP Karl Olive tabled a bill to make the installation of a carbon monoxide detector mandatory in all French homes equipped with combustion appliances.

Its objective is clear: to prevent such accidents from happening again, by imposing the same prevention logic as with smoke detectors.

How does a carbon monoxide detector work?

Unlike a smoke detector, which responds to visible combustion particles, a carbon monoxide detector detects the concentration of toxic gas in the ambient air. As soon as the concentration exceeds a critical threshold, a powerful alarm is triggered to warn the occupants.

The price of such a device varies greatly: basic models cost around thirty euros, but some more sophisticated devices can climb to 1,000 euros, especially if they are integrated into a comprehensive home automation or security system.

Towards a legal obligation?

The bill submitted to the National Assembly at the end of 2024 provides for several measures:

The obligation to install a carbon monoxide detector in any home equipped with a heating or cooking appliance that runs on gas, wood, coal, or fuel oil. The owner would be responsible for the installation. The tenant would be responsible for maintaining the device, as is already the case for smoke detectors. The obligation could come into force as early as 2026, after a compliance period of several months for households.

If the law is passed, it will apply to both individual housing and apartment buildings.

A beneficial but expensive device?

This measure, however, raises some questions. The cost of carbon monoxide detectors, which is much higher than that of smoke detectors, could discourage some households, particularly those with lower incomes. Consideration is therefore being given to implementing financial aid or subsidies, as was done for energy renovations.

Furthermore, some professionals in the construction and real estate sector fear that obligations for landlords will become more complex, particularly in the case of existing properties.

Even so, home security experts agree that such a system could prevent dozens of deaths each year. The additional cost would therefore be more than offset by the increased security.

And you, are you concerned?

If you own a wood-burning stove, a fireplace, an oil or gas boiler, or a non-electric stove, you are directly affected by this proposed law. Even if it's not mandatory, purchasing a carbon monoxide detector is a common-sense measure, just like fire extinguishers or smoke detectors: we hope we never need to use them, but their presence can make all the difference.

So, will this item really end up in your home?

Barring any legislative change, carbon monoxide detectors should become mandatory in all French homes within the next few years. The law is currently under discussion, but support is strong and the cause is deemed serious enough to move forward quickly. Soon, this device could well take its place alongside your smoke detector, making your home an even safer place.