Carbon Monoxide
If you suspect carbon monoxide in your home, call 9-1-1 immediately. Help beat the silent killer by installing a carbon monoxide device in your home.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, deadly gas. Because you cannot see, taste or smell it carbon monoxide can kill you before you know it is even there. Heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
What should I do if I suspect Carbon Monoxide?
- If you experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning call 9-1-1 and get everyone out of the house.
- If you have a carbon monoxide concern, call Enbridge Gas or a certified heating contractor.
- If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds and there are no medical symptoms, open all doors and windows and call Union Gas or a certified heating contractor.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide
If you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poising call 9-1-1 immediately.
You may experience the following symptoms if exposed to carbon monoxide:
- Exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide may produce a slight headache or shortness of breath during moderate activity
- Exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide may cause a severe headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion, weakness, vision and hearing impairment, collapse or fainting, loss of muscle control and drowsiness
- Exposure to higher concentrations can result in unconsciousness, brain damage or death
- Install a carbon monoxide alarm near sleeping areas
Preventing Carbon Monoxide
- Test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month
- If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.
- Have your furnace and heating system inspected once a year by a certified heating contractor.
- Have your chimney, flues and vents professionally cleaned once a year.
- Never burn charcoal or run your gas barbecue indoors or in an enclosed area.
- Never leave a car idling in a garage.
- If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel.
- If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
- During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
- A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
- Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO -- only use outside
More carbon monoxide information is available through the Government of Ontario.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke Alarms
Effective March 1, 2006, smoke alarms must be installed on every level of a home and outside all sleeping areas whether it's owner occupied or rented. Non-compliance with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements can result in a ticket of $235 or a fine of up to $25,000.
Key components of an effective smoke alarm system is choosing the correct device(s), the location, maintenance, testing, replacement and planning an escape route.
For more information, view the National Fire Protection Association smoke alarm fact sheet