Carbon monoxide (CO) is called the “silent killer” because you can’t see, smell or taste it. And it is deadly! CO is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America. Each year it proves fatal for dozens of Canadians, and, makes many more thousands sick with what they think is the flu.
According to a national Home Safety Poll:
- 40% of Canadians DO NOT have a CO alarm
- 15% believe CO alarms LAST FOREVER
- 18% believe CO alarms are only needed if you have a GAS FURNACE
- 44% DO NOT have their heating or other combustion systems checked annually
- 26% DO NOT think they have to replace CO alarms every 5-7 years
To change these statistics, education is the key.
Appliances that use gas, oil, wood, coal or any other kind of fossil fuel produce carbon monoxide during combustion. Sources of CO in your home can include your furnace, water heater, wood stove, fireplace, oven and of course automotive exhaust. Normally these appliances are vented outside, but if there is a leak or poor installation, tragedy looms.
Your ONLY protection is a CSA-approved carbon monoxide alarm.
Remember… exposure to carbon monoxide reduces your ability to think clearly, so never delay if your CO alarm goes off or you sense there’s a problem. Get everyone out of the house and stay out, then call the fire department or 911.
Home Health Check
Step one
Have a licensed inspector give your fuel-burning systems the all-clear before turning on the heat each fall. That means venting as well!
Step Two
Install at least one CO alarm in your home – one per floor is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association and, at a minimum, outside sleeping areas. In Canada, safety organizations stress that when you buy a carbon monoxide alarm, make sure it has a CSA 6.19-01 certification sticker on the package. It is also the law now, in the Yukon.
Step Three
Never bring gas generators, propane heaters or other equipment inside your home or garage. These are rated for outdoors use only!
View the 3 Part Video Series That Could Save Your Life
In these informative videos, John Gignac talks with three experts to get their perspectives on the new law and advice on how to keep families safe from ‘The Silent Killer’.
CO Safety Tips to Protect Your Family
- It is law in Ontario to install CSA-approved CO alarms outside sleeping areas.
- CO alarms are required by law to be replaced within the time frame indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions and/or on the label on the unit. Some new CO alarms offer sealed lithium batteries that last 10 years from activation.
- For optimal protection, install additional CO alarms on every floor of the home.
- Have a licenced technician inspect your fuel burning appliances annually, (eg. furnace, range, fireplace, water heater) to ensure they are in proper working order and vented correctly.
- For families with older parents or relatives, it is wise to help them inspect their CO alarms.
- CO alarms don’t last forever. They need to be replaced every 7-10 years, depending on the brand.
- If your alarm goes off get everyone out of the house, stay out and call 911! Exposure to CO reduces your ability to think clearly, so never delay if your alarm goes off and you sense a problem.