Each year, communities across Ontario Recognize Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week from November 1st to 7th, using the opportunity to promote the use of CO alarms and educate Ontarians about CO, including how to prevent exposure, the health hazards of CO poisoning, and what to do in the event of a CO leak.
Because carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas, it is impossible to detect without a working CO alarm. The law requires CO alarms outside all sleeping areas of homes with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage.
What can residents do to protect themselves, their family, and their pets from this silent killer?
- Install and test CO alarms in your home, RV, Cottage, or anywhere you sleep where there is a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. Consider using alarms that have a worry-free 10-year lithium battery.
- Be aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning: Exposure to CO can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, loss of consciousness and death. It can poison the body quickly in high concentrations or slowly over long periods. Symptoms of exposure may be similar to the flu without a fever. Anyone who suspects they have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning should immediately go outside and call 9-1-1.
- Eliminate CO at the source: Ensure all fuel-burning appliances are inspected annually by a TSSA-registered contractor.
For more information, please visit COSafety.ca.