CO Safety Tips to Protect Your Family
- Every home that has a wood or gas fireplace; an oil or gas furnace; a gas water heater or any type of gas appliance as well has home with an attached garage or carport, NEEDS a CSA-approved carbon monoxide alarm.
- Install CSA-approved CO alarms outside sleeping areas. It is the law in many Canadian jurisdictions
- CO alarms must 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 licensed 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.
Symptoms of CO:
Carbon monoxide poisoning produces varying symptoms depending on the degree of exposure to the poisonous gas. In general, symptoms can mimic flu like symptoms which may include:
Nausia
Fever
Headaches
Nausia
Fever
Headaches
Fatigue/listlessness
Confusion
Fatigue/listlessness
Confusion
In more serious exposures, victims can experience brain damage and in the most extreme cases, death.
If you and/or your family members are experiencing these types of symptoms, while you are in your home, and perhaps not, when you our out of the home, you may have CO present. GET OUT AND CALL 911! Don’t take any chances.
Sources of CO:
CO Alarm Laws:
In Canada, Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon have mandatory carbon monoxide alarm laws for all homes, regardless of age. These provinces/territories have legislation requiring residences to have carbon monoxide alarms. Additionally, the provinces of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador require carbon monoxide alarms through the adoption of the National Building Codes.
You need a Carbon Monoxide alarm in your home if you have:
Gas Range
Fireplace
Garage/Carport
Gas Range
Fireplace
Garage/Carport
Water Heater
Gas Furnace
Furnace Vent
Water Heater
Gas Furnace
Furnace Vent
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