Carbon Monoxide Awareness | Township of Wilmot

Dial 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect you have carbon monoxide in your home!

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

From November 1 through 7 each year, Ontario recognizes Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. The Wilmot Fire Department is reminding you to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) in your home by getting all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually and be aware of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide.

About Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide is known as the silent killer because it is an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas that can be deadly. You cannot see, taste or smell it, carbon monoxide can kill you before you know it is even there.

Carbon Monoxide is produced when fuels such as propane, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil or wood do not burn completely in fuel-burning appliances and devices such as furnaces, gas or wood fireplaces, hot water heaters, stoves, barbeques, portable fuel-burning heaters and generators and vehicles.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are very similar to the flu. Those exposed to carbon monoxide may experience the following symptoms. If you inhale carbon monoxide, you could experience any of the below symptoms.

If you or any member of your household is affected, or if the symptoms lessen or disappear when you leave the home, you should suspect carbon monoxide poisoning and take action immediately.

Low Concentrations

Low concentrations of carbon monoxide may produce:

A slight headache
Shortness of breath during moderate activity

High Concentrations

Higher 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
Drowsiness
Can result in unconsciousness, brain damage or death

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Prevention Tips

Install a carbon monoxide alarm if you use a fuel burning heating source such as gas, oil or wood, have a gas hot water heater or have an attached garage. Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed near all sleeping areas of the home. Follow the manufacturer's instructions that come with the alarm.
Never ignore your carbon monoxide alarm if it sounds. Call 9-1-1 and get out of the house immediately.
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\heater indoors, in a garage or in an enclosed area.
Never leave a car idling in a garage.

Visit the TSSA website for more information.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Under the Ontario Fire Code, it is mandatory to have carbon monoxide alarms in any residential property with a fuel-fired appliance or attached garage.

These alarms must be installed:

Near all sleeping areas in residential homes
In service rooms and adjacent sleeping areas in multi-residential units

Your carbon monoxide alarm sounds different than your smoke alarm. Test both alarms monthly and make sure everyone in your home knows the difference between the two alarm sounds.

Do not be confused by the sound of your carbon monoxide alarm’s low-battery warning. Follow your CO alarm manufacturer’s instructions so you know the difference between the low-battery warning, the “end-of-life” warning, and the alarm alerting you to the presence of CO in your home.

For more carbon monoxide safety tips and to find a registered contractor near you, visit COsafety.ca.