Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week runs November 1-7 and the London Fire Department is reminding everyone to recognize the health risks and danger CO poses with tips, suggestions, and advice on how to protect your family and stay safe.
CO is known as “the silent killer” because it is an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas. Symptoms of CO poisoning are often confused with the flu, which makes it extremely dangerous. It is the number one cause of preventable poisoning deaths in North America.
“Having a working CO alarm in your home is the surest way to know you and your family are protected from exposure and injury from a CO leak,” said Deputy Fire Chief Matt Hepditch. “CO is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas making it impossible to detect without a working CO alarm.”
By law, in Ontario, CO alarms are required to be installed outside all sleeping areas of homes with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. Failure to comply could result in a ticket for $360 or a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for landlords.
“The importance of having a carbon monoxide alarm installed outside all sleeping areas and the role it plays in preventing deaths cannot be stressed enough,” says Jon Pegg, Ontario’s Fire Marshal. “The law is in place to save lives and only a working carbon monoxide alarm will identify the presence of a carbon monoxide leak in your home before it’s too late.”
CO exposure can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, collapse, loss of consciousness, and death. Safety starts with awareness – practice the following and protect yourself and loved ones from carbon monoxide:
- Test CO alarms each month and change the batteries at least once a year using Day Light Savings Time changes as a reminder
- Have fuel-burning appliances – furnace, gas stove, fireplace – annually inspected by a trained, certified technician to check for a leak at the source
- Ensure all chimneys and vents are clean and clear of obstructions
- If a CO alarm activates or you suspect someone in your home has symptoms of CO poisoning, immediately go outside and call 9-1-1.
- Never use a barbecue, portable fuel-burning camping equipment, or gas-powered generators indoors.