Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

Ontario's third annual Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week runs from November 1-7, 2020.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the silent killer because it is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas that can be deadly. It's 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, fireplaces, hot water heaters, stoves, barbeques, portable heaters and generators or vehicles.

Did you know?

• The symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu without the fever
• CO is odourless, colourless and tasteless
• The average home in Ontario as four to six fuel-burning appliances that produce CO
• CO alarms are now mandatory in all homes across Ontario and should be installed on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas.
• Your CO 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.

Safety tips

• Ensure all fuel-burning appliances and vents in your home are inspected annually. Find a registered contractor at COsafety.ca
• Install a CO alarm on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas
• Test CO alarms every month by pressing the test button.

If you hear the alarm

If your CO alarm sounds, and you or other occupants suffer from symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the home immediately. Then call 9-1-1 or your local emergency services number from outside the building. You may not always be aware that you have CO poisoning, you may feel tired and chalk it up to just a long day. As a precaution, if your CO alarm sounds and you are not sure if you're suffering from CO poisoning dial 9-1-1, this may help save your life. Always make sure the battery on your CO alarm is replaced and that the alarm itself has not reached its "end-of-life."

Learn more

• View the Carbon Monoxide Prevention Poster (PDF)

• Visit the Government of Ontario's website