As winter quickly approaches and heating systems are fired up, the City of Ottawa is recommending residents test their carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and follow safety tips to prevent carbon monoxide-related emergencies.
While carbon monoxide is colourless and odorless, the poisonous gas is nearly impossible to detect without the presence of an alarm, wrote the City of Ottawa in a news release.
Carbon monoxide is most commonly present in homes related to the incomplete combustion of fuels, said the city.
“When the gases released in the burning of these fuels are not properly ventilated out of the building, CO levels inside the building start rising,” it added.
According to the Government of Canada, CO poisoning is a significant public health concern across the country and is responsible for an estimated 300 deaths and 200 hospitalizations each year.
Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in any hallway immediately outside of a bedroom in detached homes and townhouses. Additionally, alarms must be installed in a hallway or other area immediately outside of the bedrooms in apartments if a unit has a fuel-fire appliance or shares a wall/floor/ceiling with a fuel-fired appliance or parking garage, said the city.
Ottawa is reminding residents that carbon monoxide alarms have a limited lifespan of five to seven years, and monthly testing and regular replacement are critical.
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Based on the city’s news release, homeowners can test their carbon monoxide alarms by following these steps:
- Once a month, push the “Test” button to make sure the alarm is working
- Once a year, replace the batteries to make sure your home has continuous protection
- Once every seven to 10 years, or as instructed by the manufacturer, replace the carbon monoxide alarm. Replacements must be labelled as meeting “CSA-6.19” or “UL 2034” safety standards
Those renting should also ensure their carbon monoxide alarms are working by testing alarms in their unit once a month and immediately reporting any issues to their landlord.
In addition to testing carbon monoxide alarms, the City of Ottawa is encouraging residents to follow their safety tips to prevent carbon monoxide-related emergencies, including:
- Booking an annual inspection and cleaning for furnaces, chimneys and fireplaces, gas dryers, gas stoves, and any other fuel-burning appliances or equipment
- Shovelling snow away from exhaust pipes, dryer vents, and intakes for fuel-burning appliances
- Removing vehicles from the garage immediately after starting
- Using generators or other gas equipment in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings
Ottawa is reminding residents to avoid using gas appliances — such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers — to heat their homes.
Additionally, barbeque or portable fuel-burning camping equipment should not be used inside unless designed for use in an enclosed space. In efforts to reduce the number of deaths related to carbon monoxide poisoning, Ottawa Fire Services and Enbridge Gas Inc. teamed up this past fall.
On Nov. 1, the Safe Community Project Zero — a public education campaign with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council — provided Ottawa Fire Services with 630 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
These combination alarms have been used for programs where residents are facing high risk of carbon monoxide-related emergencies, working to reduce fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths to zero.
For more safety tips and resources, visit the Ottawa Fire Services’ Fire safety, prevention, and education page.