Email icon Back to Search

Don't underestimate carbon monoxide. Take steps to prevent it in your home.

Central York Fire Services employees holding up a very large chequeNEWMARKET, Ontario, November 1, 2024 - Ontario's annual Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week runs from November 1 to 6. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent killer because its tasteless, odourless, and colourless. To help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, Central York Fire Services (CYFS) urges residents to ensure they have functioning carbon monoxide alarms in their homes, outside each sleeping area.

Fuels such as natural gas, propane, wood, oil, and kerosene can produce carbon monoxide when there isn’t enough air for complete combustion. The risk of carbon monoxide rises during winter months when these heating appliances are in use. In Ontario, it is mandatory to have a functioning carbon monoxide alarm installed outside sleeping areas to ensure they can be heard if activated.

Follow these carbon monoxide safety tips to protect your household:

  • Install carbon monoxide alarms close to sleeping areas. You need more than one carbon monoxide alarm if your house or cottage has bedrooms on more than one floor.
  • Check that the air supply to your fuel-burning appliances is sufficient.
  • Ensure that every fuel-burning system, appliance, and chimney is properly vented and is maintained once a year by a licensed service technician or heating contractor. Animals and bird nests, snow, ice, and other debris can prevent gases from escaping your chimney.
  • Make sure that ice or snow is not blocking the vent of your appliance.
  • Even if the garage door is open, never operate a vehicle or other motor indoors.
  • Never use portable fuel-burning camping gear inside a building, garage, car, or tent unless it is made specifically for use there.
  • Every month, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in good working order. Ensure that everyone in your home is aware of the distinction between the two noises.

Carbon monoxide exposure can cause flu-like symptoms like headaches, nausea, and dizziness, and can also result in confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, and even death. If anyone in the home is showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, or if your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone out of the house right away and move to fresh air. From outside the house, call 9-1-1.

CYFS continues to support the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation which helps educate the public about Carbon Monoxide. Together with the community, $1,870.38 was raised at the recent CYFS Open House and donated to the foundation.

For more information, visit www.cyfs.ca.