DID YOU KNOW?
It’s Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week. This important public safety initiative is aimed at educating people about the dangers of carbon monoxide—often called the silent killer—and how to stay safe.
CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS—CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES
Did you remember to change all your clocks this past weekend? Let daylight saving time serve as a reminder that when you change your clocks, also change your batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. It’s a small task that takes only minutes, but it’s one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your family. Change your clocks, change your batteries!
NEW CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR ONTARIO
New Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm rules take effect on January 1, 2026. Any occupancy listed below that contains a fuel-fired appliance, fireplace, attached garage, or receives heated air from a fuel-fired appliance located outside the residence—such as in a utility shed—will be required to have working CO alarms installed on every storey, including storeys with and without sleeping areas:
- Homes (detached, semi-detached, townhomes, condos)
- Multi-unit residential buildings (apartments)
- Hotels, motels, cabins/cottages/camps
- Retirement homes and care occupancies
WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE?
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) is known as THE SILENT KILLER because it is an invisible, tasteless and odorless gas that can be deadly.
- Only WORKING CO ALARMS can detect the presence of this lethal gas.
WHAT CAUSES CO?
CO is produced through the incomplete combustion of fuels such as:
- wood
- natural gas
- propane
- heating oil
- kerosene
- coal
- charcoal
- gasoline
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING?
CO poisoning is similar to the flu (without the fever) such as:
- headaches, nausea and dizziness
- burning eyes
- drowsiness
- confusion
- impaired judgment
- loss of manual dexterity
- even loss of consciousness and death
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT CO POISONING?
- Install working CO alarms on every storey of your home and cabin/cottage/camp according to the manufacturer’s instructions and adjacent to each sleeper area; adjacent means the hallway or area outside the sleeping area.
- For added protection, install working CO alarms on every level of your home and cabin/cottage/camp according to the manufacturer’s instructions. NOTE: Keep in mind that some homes may have more levels than storeys, which is often the case with split-level homes where the floors are staggered, with short flights of stairs connecting different levels.
- Test CO alarms monthly by pressing the button.
- Alarm chirping? Act fast! Change batteries twice a year to prevent the chirp!
- Replace CO alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Ensure all fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents are inspected and cleaned annually by professionals. Visit COSafety.ca to find a registered contractor near you.
- Never use outdoor fuel-burning equipment (generators, patio heaters, gas/propane/charcoal barbecues/grills, etc.) inside your home or garage, as well as in a cabin/cottage/camp.
- Check that the vents from all fuel-burning appliances are unobstructed: Clear all fuel-burning appliance intake and exhaust vents after every storm.
- Conduct regular checkups to ensure that chimney and other fuel-burning appliance vents are not blocked, are always clear of snow and debris, and remain in good condition and function properly.
- CARBON MONOXIDE is DEADLY! NEVER run your vehicle inside a garage, even with the door open. NOTE: This is a dangerous practice, which is seen on a daily basis throughout Canada, especially during the colder seasons.
Remember, taking the time to learn and practice injury prevention costs you nothing. Failing to do so, could lead to the unthinkable … the loss of your life and the lives of those you hold dear.
Safety—it starts with you.
